Wodonga Community Solar Project
Community Conversation - November 2015
With the support of Wodonga Council, Albury City and the local Chambers of Commerce, RAW Energy convened a ‘community conversation’ workshop to gauge support and interest in renewables and to determine if it was viable to start projects in Wodonga. Significant support was expressed from representatives of organisations with decision making power and the ability to create and implement change.
Highlights of the presentations, community feedback and information gathered from the attendees at the community conversation events are available to download here:
Project 1 - New Energy Jobs Funds 2016
In June 2016, Wodonga Council, in conjunction with Renewable Albury Wodonga Energy, received a New Energy Jobs Fund Grant from DELWP (Victorian Department of Energy, Land, Water and Planning). $80,000 was granted to conduct a feasibility study and develop a plan for a solar farm within Wodonga that could benefit the community.
Wodonga Council also added $20,000 towards the study. Moreland Energy Foundation Limited (MEFL) were contracted to prepare a feasibility study and a business case. The aim of the funding was to identify a way that low income houses in Wodonga could directly benefit from a large scale solar installation.
Phase 1 - Feasibility study
With the support of a RAW and Wodonga Council project team, MEFL prepared a Feasibility Study. Stakeholders were briefed on three possible models by the MEFL team, to determine which one would be the best fit for our community. This was Phase 1 of the project and was completed with the release of the feasibility study in June 2017. You can download the feasibility study here.
Phase 2 – Business case
Phase 2 concentrated on building a business case and was completed by MEFL in January 2018 and presented to stakeholders in December 2017. You can read the full business case here.
Project 2 - Climate Change Innovation Grant CCIG 2018 -2019
Putting the Wodonga solar business case into action
RAW Energy Inc and Wodonga Council were awarded a second grant from DELWP in April 2018 to complete the Wodonga Community Solar Project (WSCP). The Climate Change Innovation Grant was awarded to implement the business case based upon two years of planning. RAW Energy Inc engaged a part time Project Officer to advance the WCSP.
The initial stage for the project was to call for Requests for Quotation (RFQ) for a Project Manager, who was then appointed. Stakeholders, involved in the previous NEJF project, were consulted and their interest in working together on this new funding project was sought. photo
The two objectives of the project were:
1. To assist low-income households through an Energy Benefits Program. See more information regarding this project here.
2. To allow community investment in a solar farm of a minimum of 2 MW in size. See below.
Community Solar Farm
OR
At the conclusion of the New Energy Jobs Fund feasibility study, it was evident that there were two approaches in achieving a local community energy solar farm to choose from:
- Partner with a developer; or
- Partner with several local businesses that together would make up the 2MW
Background
At the time of conclusion of this project, there was active interest from 3 different developers to partner with RAW Energy. A significant change which eventually occurred was that the potential developers previously consulted by RAW Energy were unable to proceed. However, the alternative option of working with local businesses was still potentially viable. The small number of businesses interested in exploring their options through the RAW project had a combined interest of less than 2MW. It was considered that a smaller amount such as 100kw could provide the initiative for further expansion with other businesses.
Tender process
Another part of the project was to create a prospectus that would allow community investment and ownership of any installations. Any profits derived from the projects over time would be fed into the Energy Benefits program and to investors. In partnership with Wodonga Council, a tender was developed and put to market. When the submissions were evaluated, it became clear that the tender document had not been specific enough about the skills required. It was decided to withdraw the tender and redraft another one to more accurately reflect the actual preparation and production of a prospectus.
At the conclusion of the two tender processes, RAW Energy needed to consider whether it was viable to continue with the project by pursuing the development of a prospectus. A special meeting of the Board was held and it was agreed that the remaining funds should be returned to the State. Formal notification of this decision was provided to the City of Wodonga, and through them to DELWP.
Download the full CCIG report by Raw Energy.
Comments
Throughout these projects, there was strong emphasis on providing accurate and helpful information to the larger community. Stakeholder relationships and partnerships were developed and the core strengths and values of RAW Energy were clarified and confirmed.
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 23rd 2019 about this collaboration in Wodonga and commended the participants.
Major lessons
RAW Energy as a volunteer organisation faced some challenges along the way. A key lesson was that volunteers are thinly stretched and volunteering needs to be enjoyable for people to continue their engagement and contribution in the organisation. Volunteers may not have the skills required for such a technical and financially complex project as “Putting the Wodonga solar business case into action” and would have benefited from early input from accountants and lawyers.
Conclusion
RAW Energy appreciated the substantial investment of time and energy and expertise of the City of Wodonga staff and the input and number of volunteer hours involved in this project. Renewable energy is a critical factor in reducing greenhouse emissions. The challenge is to continue to develop projects that ensure all members of the community benefit.