A new ten-year Power Purchase Agreement will increase renewable energy use in New South Wales following a partnership between the Central Coast Council and five Hunter-based councils.
The agreement with MOJO Power, which commenced January 2022, combines participating councils’ electricity requirements of 100GWh for large sites and street lighting, and will increase sources and consumption of renewable energy within the councils’ regions.
The six councils participating are Lake Macquarie City Council, Upper Hunter Shire Council, Maitland City Council, Cessnock City Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council and Central Coast Council.
Central Coast Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley, said combining Central Coast’s energy load with neighbouring local government areas to increase purchasing power helped leverage competitive market pricing and made good commercial sense.
“Over the past 12 months, Council has taken decisive action to implement cost management measures without largely impacting on the services it delivers to the community,” Ms Cowley said.
“This Power Purchase Agreement provides Council with value for money, increases our use of renewable energy sources and further demonstrates Council’s steadfast commitment to productivity improvements.”
Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said in addition to the significant economic benefits, Council is pleased to be delivering on its commitment to incorporate renewable energy and energy efficiency in future design and planning.
“This agreement demonstrates such sentiment extends beyond the borders of Central Coast Council’s boundary and recognises a commitment to sustainability and long-term financial stability across participating local government areas,” Mr Hart said.
The agreement follows an open tender process run in September 2021, with the winning bid from MOJO Power providing the best value for money outcome.
From November 2020, Council’s focus on financial recovery implemented a broad range of productivity improvements which have been achieved through consolidation of services, technological progression and the transition to high efficiency and purposeful equipment.
Council has made numerous other productivity improvements that will continue to have ongoing positive impacts on service delivery and provide benefits to the community year on year.
