NSW is one step closer to having community-owned wind and solar farms following funding announced by Environment Minister Robyn Parker for three initiatives led by New England rural sustainability specialist Starfish Enterprises.
“Starfish is incredibly pleased to be a partner and funding recipient for three of the nine community renewable energy projects announced,” executive director Adam Blakester said.
“This funding will enable Starfish to build on the success of the award-winning Farming the Sun community solar energy initiative as well as progress a third phase of work for New England Wind.”
Farming the Sun is Australia’s largest community solar energy initiative to date. The project began in the New England High Country with a focus on small to medium-sized solar energy systems on and owned by home owners, businesses and farmers.
Nearly $7m worth of solar energy, hot water, heating and cooling systems have been installed to date.
Farming the Sun is now expanding to support medium-size community-owned solar farms across three NSW regions – the North Coast, Riverina and New England North West. The solar farms will be upwards in size from 80kW (producing the equivalent electricity use of more than thirty average homes) to several hundred kW or more. Funding is now secured to establish seven community solar farms.
“Starfish is now seeking expressions of interest from local organisations who have an interest in hosting a community solar farm,” Mr Blakester said.
“Suitable hosts will be medium-large electricity users. They can benefit from accessing affordable solar electricity and have a strong interest in the community engagement, education and marketing that comes with a project such as this.”
New England Wind is a longer term project working to establish NSW’s first community-owned wind farm.
The goal is to develop six to 10 turbines which could produce as much energy to power 10,000 homes, which is around half of all residences in the New England High Country.
“The NSW Government funding will enable New England Wind to finalise negotiations for a preferred site for the wind farm, undertake preliminary financial modelling and organise a Wind Farms Tour,” he said.
A public launch of the new projects will be arranged shortly to provide stakeholders and community members the opportunity to find out more and get involved.
Further details about these innovative rural sustainability initiatives can be found at www.farmingthesun.net or www.newenglandwind.coop or by contacting Adam Blakester on adam@starfishenterprises.net or phone 02 6775 2501 or 0419 808 900.
