The Renewable Energy Hub has announced the signing of a long-term renewable energy power-purchase agreement (PPA) with Eurobodalla Shire Council and Engie.

The 10-year agreement, commencing in July 2021, sets Eurobodalla Council on course to achieving its aim of sourcing 100 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2030.

The terms of the agreement will see 80 per cent of Eurobodalla Council’s total electricity load derived from two solar farms at Parkes and Griffith contributing energy from the first year and from the Hills of Gold wind farm located at Nundle in the New England region of NSW which is to come online in 2024.

The 10-year PPA will reduce Eurobodalla Council’s carbon emissions by approximately 37,000 tonnes, equivalent to removing 1,000 cars off the roads and will deliver significant ongoing cost savings on Council’s electricity bills.

Renewable Energy Hub and Eurobodalla began discussions about the possibility of helping them secure a PPA in mid-2020 and following a Local Government Procurement process, Engie were selected as the supplier.

Managing Director of Renewable Energy Hub, Chris Halliwell, said Eurobodalla’s forward-thinking attitude and openness to creative solutions made them not only a great partner, but secured a fantastic outcome for them.

“It’s a credit to Eurobodalla Shire Council that they’ve taken this step to secure their energy supply at a great rate, support renewable energy projects in NSW, and set the path towards net-zero emissions by 2030. This agreement provides a great example of how the transition to a renewables-backed energy agreement can unlock additional savings while retaining much of the familiar functionality of a retailer-billed arrangement,” Halliwell said.

Eurobodalla Mayor, Liz Innes, said the council is working towards sourcing 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030, reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and doing so at a competitive price.

“By working with Renewable Energy Hub to secure this PPA we were able to reduce our costs, while also confidently moving towards meeting our target of net-zero emissions by 2030,” she commented.

This is the second renewable energy PPA that Renewable Energy Hub has negotiated for a local government, after Hawkesbury Shire Council signed a 10-year agreement in 2019, also with Engie.