Kiama Council’s large scale sites and street lighting will be powered from renewable energy sources once a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), made in conjunction with Shoalhaven and Shellharbour Councils, is agreed upon.

The three councils have agreed to combine tendering for a PPA to provide economies of scale, attract more energy retailer interest and obtain better pricing for the agreement. Kiama Council currently uses around 4 GWh p.a of electricity, Shoalhaven Council around 30 GWh p.a and Shellharbour around 5 GWh p.a.

Large scale site and street lighting account for around 80 per cent of Council’s electricity consumption. Its current supply contract expires at the end of the year.

The purchase of renewable energy will help Kiama Council reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, achieve emissions reductions targets, support renewable energy generation projects within NSW and work towards its 2031 net zero emissions targets.

“We are working closely with our regional partners and other councils to get a better deal for our electricity costs,” says Jessica Rippon, Kiama Council Director Environmental Services.

“This agreement will allow us to have reduced costs overall which is a benefit to us.

“We’re expecting a significant saving.”

Kiama, Shoalhaven and Shellharbour Council have engaged Presync to assist them in completing a request for tender process, which is currently underway.

“The savings would come about immediately,” says Ms Rippon.

“We are going through a process at the moment of speaking to tenderers and getting an idea of what deal we will have.”

Council’s CEO, Jane Stroud, has been delegated authority, only if needed due to time constraints, to award the tender and execute the contract on Council’s behalf.