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.
But right now, things are changing rapidly. There’s not enough communication from the government about what’s happening and they don't seem to be listening to our concerns. What’s more, while many developers are doing great work, not all of them are engaging in best practice when it comes to consulting with or delivering benefits for the whole community.
We want renewable energy to be done well, and for it to strengthen and renew our communities. Some of us want to electrify our homes, farms and businesses to lower energy costs; some want to negotiate with large-scale projects to ensure nature and people are looked after; some want to start a community energy project to improve energy security. But there is nowhere to go where we can ask questions and get support to do this.
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.
What would a Local Energy Hub look like?
Imagine an outreach centre, staffed by respected local people who are independent from industry. The hubs would provide services to support communities in understanding and participating in the shift to renewable energy, from the small stuff to the big stuff. They would be crucial touchpoints for renewable energy developers, helping to foster trust in communities for their projects through quality communication and engagement. They would also address barriers to accessing household electrification, such as lack of time or quality advice, and tackle complex challenges like ensuring community input on large-scale projects proposed for their regions.
Local Energy Hubs could support communities to:
- Better understand and reduce electricity bills
- Understand proposed large-scale projects
- Negotiate with large-scale developers to get the best outcomes for local communities and nature
- Develop electrification strategies for agricultural businesses
- Buy rooftop solar, a home battery or an EV
- Set up a community-owned renewable energy project
- And much more
What are the benefits of Local Energy Hubs?
- Access to grants and subsidies to electrify regional homes, schools and workplaces
- Energy efficiency advice to all parts of the community so everyone can enjoy the benefits that renewable energy brings
- The provision of clear plans and sound information about large-scale renewable energy development in our regions
- Advice for agricultural businesses looking to electrify and decarbonise
- Help to get off expensive diesel in remote areas
It's time for the government to put rural and regional communities at the forefront of the renewable energy shift. Local Energy Hubs are a practical way to do that, right now.
What functions would Local Energy Hubs perform?
Through staffed offices and outreach programs including engagement with remote communities, Local Energy Hubs will be equipped to perform a range of functions.
Information
- Trusted local faces, including physical shop-front and mobile outreach supporting regions to navigate the ocean of information available
- Tailor key information and engagement to local context, using appropriate local channels
- Provide research and information in response to local concerns, needs and interests.
Intermediary
- Making sense of a busy Renewable Energy Zone/ renewable energy developer engagement space with many actors
- Supporting local government leadership and facilitating cross-sector collaboration, for example, to enable regional benefit-sharing and workforce preparedness
- Facilitating collaborations that minimise consultation fatigue, for example focussing on key multi-project issues such as workforce accommodation, education and training, construction issues
Capacity building
- Supporting local stakeholder preparedness and understanding
- Energy literacy and renewable energy project education
- Maximise uptake of government loan and incentive programs through increased awareness and support to apply
Expertise
- Fund feasibility studies for bespoke local electrification, energy efficiency, community energy, on-farm applications
- agricultural extension officers
- In-house expertise (via national coordinating body)
Grantmaking
- Establishment of new grant schemes and connection with existing grant opportunities including grants for feasibility studies, community energy projects, on-farm and SME electrification and decarbonisation
What will Local Energy Hubs cost?
To fully fund a national network of 50 Local Energy Hubs and their coordinating body, Energy Hubs Australia, at the scale required to make a material difference in the lives of regional communities, we estimate the Federal Government will need to invest at least $150 million annually for 10-15 years. This is the resourcing required to have several staff in each Hub with funds for grant programs and engagement activities.
This campaign is a collaboration between RE-Alliance, the Community Power Agency and Yes2Renewables.