Wellington Shire set to use cheaper, greener electricity for its facilities

Wellington Shire Council is set to reduce electricity costs by about 30% and lower corporate emissions by 1,300 tonnes per year by joining a collaborative buying group.

The Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) is the largest emissions-reduction project undertaken by local government in Australia and will see 46 councils pool their electricity needs to create a power purchase agreement (PPA), which will enable them to buy clean power at a reduced price.

The ground-breaking project will lower each of the councils’ energy bills, reduce electricity prices and allow them to access clean, renewable energy generated by two Victorian wind farms - Dundonnell wind farm near Mortlake and, from June 2022, Murra Warra II wind farm near Horsham.

Under the VECO agreement, Wellington Shire Council will source all of its power requirements for its Sale Service Centre (the Council's main offices), The Wedge performing arts centre and the Port of Sale precinct, which account for a combined 25% of Council’s electricity use.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Garry Stephens explained “reducing our carbon footprint and reducing our power bill is a win-win for everyone in the Shire.”

Image: The Wedge performing arts centre. Credit: Wellington Shire Council.