Council in push to go green on energy

GEELONG council is aiming to source all its energy from renewable sources via contracts it wants in place by the end of 2020.

It comes as the council and more than 40 others have joined the “largest ever buying group to switch to 100 per cent renewable energy.”

Collectively, by pooling supply needs, the group wants to source power equivalent to that needed to power 47,000 homes.

By joining the group, Geelong council has committed to using renewable energy to power municipal offices, leisure centres, street lights and community buildings.

Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said in joining 47 other councils, the city would help drive investment in renewables in Victoria, increase energy stability and reduce retail energy prices.

“We are committed to meeting our emissions reduction target, and switching to maximum renewable energy capacity will help us achieve this,” Cr Harwood said.

Cr Sarah Mansfield said the collaboration marked a major step towards reducing carbon emissions in the Geelong region.

“It also demonstrates the potential of working collectively to reduce carbon emissions over a much bigger footprint,” Cr Mansfield said.

“There are numerous, longterm environmental, economic and financial benefits from moving towards cleaner energy, for the city and community.”

The council has committed to reducing emissions from its buildings and vehicle fleet by 50 per cent based on 2014-15 levels by 2020.

The target was endorsed in April 2017.

The State Government has committed to sourcing half the state’s electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030.