It’s important that the community is involved in the switch to renewables. We have these opportunities to control our own power, share our own power and generate our own power, and I think there are some really great opportunities for regional communities in that."
– Sally Hunter, Geni.Energy, Narrabri
Australia is in the midst of a shift to renewable energy that will cut pollution and secure us a reliable energy future.
Rural and regional Australians know that the shift to renewable energy can bring once-in-a-generation opportunities to our communities.
That's why we're calling on the Federal Government to fund Local Energy Hubs in renewable energy zones across Australia.
Local Energy Hubs would provide the information and support we need, enabling us to take control of our clean energy futures.
The creation of a network of Local Energy Hubs would create avenues for local participation and build the trust needed to achieve our decarbonisation goals, while delivering long-term regional development.
Helen Haines MP, Independent Federal Member for Indi
Local Energy Hubs would help communities plan large-scale renewables for local benefit and maximise rooftop solar and electrification, which is the fastest way to bring down bills.
Dr. Saul Griffiths, Co-Founder, Rewiring Australia
Increasing transparency and improving coordination between communities, industry and Government during the energy transition will benefit local people, workers and the environment. Local Energy Hubs would complement the work being done in regions like the Hunter to secure a just and sustainable energy transition.
Justin Page, Coordinator, Hunter Jobs Alliance
Committee for Ballarat is leading an approach to maximise the capacity of locally generated renewable energy for direct benefit to business, industry and community. Central to the project is building trust, social licence and consumer participation in the energy market. A Local Energy Hub here would significantly help us do that.
Michael Poulton, CEO, Committee For Ballarat
Farmers and regional communities need trusted and neutral advice so that they can make informed decisions about how renewable energy can work best for them. Independent Local Energy Hubs will meet this urgent need.
Natalie Collard, CEO, Farmers for Climate Action
November 29, 2024
"Regional and rural Australians have a healthy level of general support for renewable energy, but sentiment for individual projects is often fragile. The unaddressed issue is the vast “missing middle” of information and coordination in the shift to renewables – and it’s a gap...
Read MoreNovember 28, 2024
"As hosts to much of the energy generation and distribution infrastructure, regional Australians deserve a concerted focus on what their needs are and how they can be met, and that’s why the Smart Energy Council strongly backs the growing call across Australia for the...
Read MoreNovember 20, 2024
"Wangaratta-based Indi Independent federal MP Helen Haines is continuing to pursue Local Energy Hubs in regional Australia, believing they are “the vital missing link” with communities, in the nation's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050." Read 'Energy hubs push' on the front of the...
Read More