City of Melbourne Council Now Powered Entirely by Renewable Energy

Melbourne City Council is now 100% powered by renewables, reports Market Business News.

A group of Melbourne Council universities, companies and institutions grouped up for a power purchase agreement (PPA) that will provide electricity to the council with wind power.

Melbourne Council Power Purchase Agreement at Crowlands Wind Farm

The group of 14 institutions produced a PPA to support construction of a 80 MW wind farm at Crowlands, 200km from Melbourne. This is the first group in Australia to do so.

When Crowlands construction is completed in May 2019, the wind farm will have 39 turbines. 140 constructions jobs have been created in the area as a result of the new wind farm, and there will be ongoing maintenance jobs.

The members of the group formed under the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project. They include:

• Australia Post
• Bank Australia
• RMIT University
• Moreland City Council
• Citywide
• Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre
• City of Yarra
• nab
• NextDC
• City of Port Phillip
• The University of Melbourne
• Zoos Victoria
• Fed Square
• City of Melbourne.

The group partnered with energy partners Tango and Pacific Hydro to construct the wind farm.

This PPA presents a replicable model for other councils in Australia. Melbourne council has stated the PPA will help combat greenhouse gas emissions and will encourage other cities to invest in renewable energy.

We have led the nation in responding to climate change, securing a sustainable energy supply for the future and have shown a great example of how a major city with a $92 billion economy can influence positive outcomes in our regional towns.

– Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne, Arron Wood

Corporates Leading The Way to 100% Renewable

While the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project group is the first of its kind in Australia to put in place a PPA, many corporates and institutions around the world are also aiming for 100% renewable energy. Technology companies are leading the way.

Read the full story on Market Business News.