Photo: Geelong Sustainability RESIDENTS of Bass Coast and South Gippsland are invited to help identify local opportunities and challenges in a renewable energy roadmap.
The Roadmap will be developed through a series of community-wide workshops, one-on-one meetings and an online survey.
The project is being co-ordinated by community energy group Energy Innovation Co-operative (EICo-op), the group behind the 92 kWh solar farm at the State Coal Mine.
EICo-op chair Moragh Mackay, who is leading the roadmap project, says it will include recommendations for government, community and business to realise renewable energy projects in Bass Coast and Souyth Gippsland.
The Roadmap will be developed through a series of community-wide workshops, one-on-one meetings and an online survey.
The project is being co-ordinated by community energy group Energy Innovation Co-operative (EICo-op), the group behind the 92 kWh solar farm at the State Coal Mine.
EICo-op chair Moragh Mackay, who is leading the roadmap project, says it will include recommendations for government, community and business to realise renewable energy projects in Bass Coast and Souyth Gippsland.
“Together we will identify renewable energy opportunities that can maximise and share the benefits with local communities and our regional economy emerging from our transforming energy system.”
The workshops will be informed by electricity network analysis to help identify suitable types, sizes and locations of additional renewable energy generation.
The first round of workshops, in May and June, will gather aspirations and opportunities for local renewable energy and present technical information along with sharing and discussion of projects or plans underway.
The second round (September-October) will present a synthesis of these discussions and provide an opportunity to review and refine the draft roadmap, ahead of its finalisation in December.
EICo-op is working in partnership with Community Power Agency (CPA), leaders in enabling community participation in transitions to renewable energy, and Mondo, leaders in solutions for generating, managing, storing and sharing energy.
The project team will work with representatives from the two shires, Gippsland Climate Change Network, Latrobe Valley Community Power Hub, Sustainability Victoria and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Ms McKay said the project team wanted to build agreement around opportunities and pathways. Ideally those involved in the initial consultation would continue working together to implement the Roadmap recommendations.
Roadmap workshops: Wonthaggi, Friday, May 24; Kilcunda, Saturday May 25; Korumburra, Sunday, May 26; Koonwarra, Tuesday, May 28. Bookings at www.eico-op.org.au/events-2/ or complete the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/RenewableEnergyRoadmap1
The workshops will be informed by electricity network analysis to help identify suitable types, sizes and locations of additional renewable energy generation.
The first round of workshops, in May and June, will gather aspirations and opportunities for local renewable energy and present technical information along with sharing and discussion of projects or plans underway.
The second round (September-October) will present a synthesis of these discussions and provide an opportunity to review and refine the draft roadmap, ahead of its finalisation in December.
EICo-op is working in partnership with Community Power Agency (CPA), leaders in enabling community participation in transitions to renewable energy, and Mondo, leaders in solutions for generating, managing, storing and sharing energy.
The project team will work with representatives from the two shires, Gippsland Climate Change Network, Latrobe Valley Community Power Hub, Sustainability Victoria and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Ms McKay said the project team wanted to build agreement around opportunities and pathways. Ideally those involved in the initial consultation would continue working together to implement the Roadmap recommendations.
Roadmap workshops: Wonthaggi, Friday, May 24; Kilcunda, Saturday May 25; Korumburra, Sunday, May 26; Koonwarra, Tuesday, May 28. Bookings at www.eico-op.org.au/events-2/ or complete the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/RenewableEnergyRoadmap1