Solar Power Rollout Key to Achieving Energy and Emissions Targets

Published on 24 March 2022

Solar array at WRP.JPG

Community feedback on Council’s revised ‘Renewable Energy and Emissions Reduction Plan (REERP)’ has revealed support for the pathway to achieve our existing – and implement even more ambitious – renewable energy and emissions reduction targets.

In 2016, Council adopted the original Plan with the aim of:

  • Reducing annual corporate emissions (tonnes CO2-e) from 2010 levels by 50% by 2025;
  • The use of 100% renewables by the organisation by 2030.

After an independent review in 2021, the revised REERP will increase our targets to:

  • Net Zero emissions by the organisation by 2030/2031 (excluding landfill); and
  • Landfill having a Net Zero emissions target of 2033 and 100% renewable energy.

After adoption of the REERP in 2016, there was  a major push to install solar energy systems at 16 Council-owned facilities including works depots, libraries, holiday parks, water reclamation plants and swimming pools. The review in 2021 provided Council the opportunity to check progress and understand what more could be done.

 “Following the review, the REERP 2021 was put out for community comment,” said Sonia Doohan, Council’s Section Leader Community Planning and Engagement. “While the Plan attracted support, people also put forward other suggestions such as developing a community-wide emissions reduction plan, Council to move away from the use of fossil fuels and move to using electrically-powered, solar-charging small equipment. These have now been included in the final Plan.”

The new ambitious targets in REERP 2021 will also be achieved through:

  • purchasing 100% renewable electricity
  • energy and water efficiency in Council buildings
  • public lighting upgrades to LEDs including smart control systems
  • switching Council’s fleet to electric vehicles powered by renewable energy
  • purchasing offsets.

REERP 2021 also identified the solar rollout be expanded to include a further 13 sites, as well as an increase in solar capacity at six existing locations.

Another key area is reducing landfill emissions which has a separate goal of Net Zero by 2033. Previous work by Council to reduce emissions has been affected by changes to the NSW Government regulations for green waste, a fire at the processing plant and increases in household waste during the pandemic – an outcome observed across the world.

Council is currently investigating other existing and emerging waste-to-energy technologies that present good opportunities to further reduce landfill emissions and achieve Net Zero by 2033.

The ‘Renewable Energy and Emissions Reduction Plan (REERP) 2021’ was adopted unanimously by Councillors at last night’s meeting and will be reviewed again in 2025/2026.

 

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