Council slashes energy bills

Bass Coast Shire Council announced it has saved almost $30,000 in the last 12 months powering its municipal offices, streetlights and community buildings with renewable energy.

Bass Coast is now one of 51 local governments to have switched council buildings and facilities to renewable electricity through the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO).

VECO is the largest ever emissions reduction project by local governments in Australia.

Since launching in 2021, VECO has grown from 46 to 51 participating councils in Victoria to now be the biggest renewable energy buyers’ group in the country.

Thanks to VECO’s collective investment in Victorian renewables, the council said 25 per cent cheaper electricity has already been delivered in the first 12 months. These savings are being re-directed to critical community services.

Bass Coast Shire Council said the collaboration demonstrates the value of local governments working together to tackle climate change.

According to the council, approximately 172,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions have been saved by councils in the first 12 months, which is equivalent to powering up to 35,000 homes or taking 66,000 cars off the road each year. Savings are expected to increase to 220,000 tonnes per year.

The council said it saved almost 2000 tonnes of emissions in the last 12 months, helping achieve its net zero by 2030 emissions target.

“This collaboration ensures Bass Coast Shire Council is not only responding to a climate emergency by reducing emissions, but through the collective buying of renewable energy we have supported investment in renewables in Victoria, increasing energy stability and reducing retail energy prices,” a council spokesperson said.

“It also supports the delivery of Bass Coast’s commitment to achieve net zero Council emissions by 2030.”