MidCoast Council secures long-term renewable electricity supply contra

Published on 06 November 2024

MidCoast Council has secured a renewable electricity supply agreement with Iberdrola Australia through to the end of 2030 as part of a buyer's group facilitating a power purchase agreement for 13 regional councils in New South Wales.

The agreement secures the supply of over 390 gigawatt hours of electricity to 163 large Council sites and streetlighting across regional NSW, ensuring consistent and reliable energy for essential infrastructure.

The Powering Tomorrow: Regional Councils NSW Power Purchase Agreement was coordinated by the Hunter Joint Organisation and Mid North Coast Joint Organisation, along with advisors Sourced Energy, Regional Procurement, Procure Group, and Baker Mackenzie, making the tender process more accessible for smaller councils. By collaborating, councils increased their collective buying power to secure a competitive deal and reduced the procurement costs by sharing resources and fees.

Locking in energy prices until 2030 shields Council from volatility in the electricity market that can unexpectedly increase its costs, ensuring long-term budget stability.

MidCoast Council Mayor, Claire Pontin said “The cost of providing energy for Council facilities and services is significant. We are pleased to have secured renewable energy at a stable price through to 2030.” 

By opting for 100% renewable energy to power Council’s large sites and streetlighting, an estimated 58,271 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions (t/CO2-e) will be avoided, aligning Council with local, state and national net zero targets.

The Powering Tomorrow: Regional Councils NSW PPA exemplifies the power of collaboration and forward-thinking in addressing energy cost challenges faced by regional councils.