Wodonga Energy Benefits Program

Background - Energy Poverty

The Wodonga Council local government area has the highest rate of electricity disconnections in Victoria. Energy costs are making up an ever-increasing proportion of low-income household expenses, often called "energy poverty".

A key component of the Wodonga Community Solar Project was to deliver an Energy Benefits Program which assists low income households in the Wodonga area. This was the initial focus of the Project Manager. RAW Energy Inc and Wodonga Council worked with local service providers to create and deliver the Energy Benefits Program.

Border Mail Article: Wodonga most vulnerable community in Victoria for energy or water disconnections

Partnering with Beyond Housing

RAW Energy Inc was successful in a grant application to the Victorian Government’s Renewable Communities program which helped to fund a pilot study involving BeyondHousing to address energy poverty through renewable energy.

RAW Energy Inc worked with BeyondHousing to install ten solar power systems on social housing homes in Wodonga. Each of the ten solar power systems included a Mondo Ubi energy management system, which gives households real time visibility of their energy generation and consumption. The solar power systems reduce overall electricity costs, and the Ubi display provides households visibility and control over their energy costs.

Research and Demonstration

The project includes a research and demonstration component. RAW members collected electricity meter data and retail bills to monitor energy cost savings and conducted a short survey to determine the impact on families.

The research will be used to demonstrate the value of solar power for social housing. If the impact is significant, this report could be used to argue for an expansion of the program.

Project Launch at the Cube

The Energy Benefits Program was launched at The Cube in Wodonga on Monday October 14^th2019 during Anti-Poverty week. Here’s the media release: https://renewablealburywodonga.com.au/renewable-energy-fights-poverty/

Simon Duncan from Green Energy Videos created a video about the project, including some compelling testimonials from households. View the video here: https://renewablealburywodonga.com.au/green-energy-video-raw-beyond-housing/

Outcomes

The Beyond Housing project was an example of a very successful collaborative project that delivered real benefits to local households experiencing cost of living pressures. This project is making a big change to how families can generate, use and control their own household energy.

With thanks to funding from the Victorian Government, the Energy Benefits Program is helping to ease energy poverty and put the "power" back into local hands. Helen Haines, Federal Member for Indi, spoke in Parliament on October 23^rd 2019 about this collaboration in Wodonga and commended the participants.