Bathurst Rail Museum among Council’s facilities now powered by 100% renewable electricity

The 1st January 2023, saw all of Bathurst Regional Council’s facilities, including the Rail Museum, now powered by 100% renewable electricity.

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being replenished. The contract for Bathurst which commenced on 1st January 2023 has electricity sourced from the Bodangara wind farm near Wellington, as well as other renewable energy assets owned by Iberdrola.

In August 2022, Council secured a contract for renewable electricity to power large sites and streetlighting by combining with ten other councils from the central NSW region and five councils from the Riverina region in a joint procurement process.

The contract commenced on 1st January 2023 with electricity sourced from the Bodangara wind farm near Wellington, as well as other renewable energy assets owned by Iberdrola.

In October 2022, Council also contracted to source 100% renewable energy for all its small market electricity sites through Shell Energy.

Together the contracts will achieve zero emissions electricity for all of Council’s facilities and streetlights, reducing emissions from Council operations by around 10,000 tonnes annually.

Mayor Robert Taylor said this will reduce Council’s carbon footprint by providing clean energy supply for Council operations.

Mayor Taylor noted “The deal also supports investments in renewables, reduces reliance on fossil fuels and protects from the price volatility in the electricity market.

“The contracts mean Council will exceed the renewable energy targets adopted in June 2020 as part of the Renewable Energy Action Plan, and will also go a long way to helping Council achieve the target of 25% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.”

Image: Solar panels on the roof of Bathurst Rail Museum. Credit: Bathurst Regional Council