Across Australia, amazing renewable energy and storage projects at all scales are creating new job pathways for Australians, lowering people’s power bills, empowering First Nations communities and revitalising essential community infrastructure and services. The problem is, we don’t hear very much about them! In fact, many Australians falsely believe that community support for renewables is much lower than it actually is. Two-thirds of Australians living in cities and rural areas support renewable power projects, including within their own communities.
That’s where the Climate Council Choice Awards come in. We have selected 11 renewable energy and storage projects that are giving back to communities in meaningful ways to receive an Award.
Award winners
The Climate Council Choice Award winners are all unique – just like the communities they are based in. But they each demonstrate how wind, solar and storage projects are benefiting Australians in innovative ways to meet the needs of local communities.
These are just a few of many fantastic projects out there already. There are many more in the pipeline!
Solar Saver: Haystacks Solar Garden, Riverina, New South Wales
Haystacks Solar Garden is the first solar garden in Australia – leading the way to show how we can unlock the benefits of solar for people renting and living in apartments with community-owned renewables.
Women in Renewables: Bomen Solar Farm , near Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Bomen Solar Farm’s ‘Women in Solar’ program shows how the industry can combat traditional barriers to employment in the energy sector, by directly helping women gain new skills, experience and qualifications for future employment in energy.
Energy Equity: South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant, connecting social housing properties across South Australia
South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant is leading the way to show how governments can help lower power bills for citizens who are doing it tough (in this case: those living in social housing), while also helping to provide more clean power to the community and strengthening the energy grid.
Greener Grazing: New England Solar Farm, Uralla, New South Wales
The New England Solar Farm demonstrates how renewables can happily coexist with farming. As one of Australia’s newest and largest solar farms, it’s providing ideal grazing conditions for around 6,500 sheep and lambs.
Empowering First Nations: Marlinja Microgrid, Marlinja, Northern Territory
The Marlinja Microgrid is leading the way for other projects to help First Nations communities take control of their power. It is the first First Nations community-owned and grid connected renewable energy project in Australia, and will enable First Nations pre-paid meter customers to benefit directly from their own solar investment; working in a similar way to the benefits enjoyed by households with rooftop solar.
People-Powered: Totally Renewable Yackandandah, Yackandandah, Victoria
Totally Renewable Yackandandah is punching well above its weight and showing how a small, volunteer-led group can achieve amazing things. We are especially big fans of its Virtual Power Plant, which generates and stores clean power and gives it back to the Yack minigrid so other locals can access it.
Brighter Futures: Victorian Big Battery (VBB), Geelong, Victoria
VB is already a household brand, but wait until you hear about VBB. It’s one of the world’s biggest batteries, and empowers future generations by supporting science and sustainability initiatives at a local school, and funds a scholarship for diverse students to pursue a career in STEM through Deakin University.
Trailblazing Towns: Denmark Community Wind Farm in Western Australia and Hepburn Community Wind Farm in Victoria
The Denmark and Hepburn community-owned wind farms have been powering their communities for more than 10 years. They were ahead of the curve in showing what’s possible to achieve when a small group of passionate, hard-working people join forces to help their community and the planet.
Workforce Ready: Karadoc Solar Farm, near Mildura, Victoria
Karadoc Solar Farm shows how renewable power projects can actively contribute to employment in regional communities. More than 300 locals worked on its constructionhere, all from diverse backgrounds, as part of its construction and it has also helped 25 apprentices start careers in solar.
Dream Team: Kennedy Energy Park, Queensland
Kennedy Energy Park is the first in the world to combine the dream team of wind, solar and battery storage all in one place. It is also doing its bit to support local sports teams, among many other initiatives that are revitalising the community.
