Local Energy Hubs – way to go!

Local Energy Hubs – way to go!

By Ewa Meyer, Renew – Hunter Region Branch.

Most Australians believe the shift has yet to begin, even though we’re close to halfway there with 40% of our electricity being generated by renewable sources – and this will double in the next decade.¹

Yes, the transition to renewables is well underway and it needs to speed up if we are to get anywhere near achieving the commitments set at the Paris agreement. Australia and the world are undergoing the biggest and fastest economic transformation since the industrial revolution. Action to reduce emissions will help prevent the worst impacts of climate change, but will also create a boom in new jobs and new industries.²

There are a number of reasons why the rollout isn’t rolling smoothly. It is a huge and complex process that should have started a decade or more ago when it was highlighted that coal fired power stations don’t last for ever and that Australia’s electricity supply needed to stop its reliance on fossil fuels. There continue to be many hurdles, including the inadequacy of the National Energy Market (NEM) run by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), as outlined by Saul Griffith during his presentation at Empowering Newcastle on 25 July. If you missed this superb event, here’s an insightful perspective from EcoNetwork’s Kassia.

It’s easy to switch off from all the hype and high level talk about climate change, net zero by 2050 or the need to go carbon neutral. There has been a frustrating lack of urgent action by governments at all levels, as well as the huge role that vested interests are playing in detracting from what we accept is a national and global emergency. However, many of us ordinary folk are unaware that individually we can all play a crucial role on a personal and community level. There are just so many common sense approaches to making simple changes around the home – but getting the message out where it’s needed is difficult. Householders could save money on energy bills if only they had easy access to free advice.

Just think about this reality – do you want to come home after work, and switch on your air-con on hot summer nights? Envisaging life without electricity at the flick of a switch is impossible. But that could be the reality if ‘Party Politics’ wins out against urgent planning, and delaying tactics continue unabated, or if we, the community remain a low priority.

The Problem

Some of the findings by the Ipsos Climate Change Report on Social License for the Energy Transition³ were, perhaps unsurprising. For instance, that there is confusion in the communication of climate issues and that understanding by the general community about new technologies and the transition is poor.

We have seen that such communication gaps are quickly filled with misinformation, and opportunistically through disinformation. Remarkably, or perhaps not, there may be some agreement between those in support of renewable energy projects, and those against them when it comes to the lack of consultation and community engagement. For example, read EcoNetwork’s submission to the Offshore Wind Consultation Inquiry here.

“For those of us living in the regional communities being asked to host new, large-scale infrastructure – we need access to accurate information, we need quality engagement, and we need opportunities to participate in decisions that impact us.” Andrew Bray & Jarra Hicks.⁴

Australia is so far behind other countries that we are continually playing catch up and yet we could be learning so much from the many advancements (and mistakes) from around the world. Australian innovators and manufacturers are highly sought after overseas while at home we have been languishing in the past and our dependence on fossil fuels.

The Solution

“The shift to renewable energy presents one of the biggest opportunities for regional renewal in decades, and the needs of local communities must remain central to this exercise if it is to be successful.” Johanna Lynch, Re-Alliance in the Hunter

Re-Alliance, Community Power Agency (CPA) and Yes2renewables have put forward a proposal to the Australian Government for what many consider is the most significant, practical and inclusive solution currently on the table. It needs serious Government consideration, support and funding to implement. Put simply, the proposal is for the establishment of a national network of service and outreach centres in renewable energy zones across Australia – Local Energy Hubs.⁵

Two years ago at EcoNetwork’s Sustainable Futures Festival, one of our expert presenters was Dr Jarra Hicks, CPA director. Dr Hicks shared stories about the power of communities to take action together to transform our energy futures. CPA works collaboratively with communities, governments, NGOs and corporates to ensure that renewable energy companies not only consult, but work closely, with communities hosting energy infrastructure to ensure tangible benefits are shared locally.

“As leaders of these organisations, living in rural communities at the heart of the renewable energy transformation, we know communities need a touch point.” Dr Jarra Hicks.

Big renewables mean big changes for rural and regional communities. Local Energy Hubs could ensure that regions are placed at the centre of this change, and have all the tools they need to direct opportunities to meet local needs and aspirations.

What are (or could be) Local Energy Hubs?

Local Energy Hubs in Renewable Energy Zones like the Hunter, would take the form of physical bricks and mortar service centres with a capacity for staff to undertake outreach remotely, providing support to communities in understanding and participating in the shift to renewable energy

A place where people could come to seek reliable and independent support, information and resources on all things renewable energy, Hubs could help us to:

• Better understand and reduce electricity bills
• Understand proposed large-scale projects
• Negotiate with large-scale developers to get the best outcomes for local communities and nature
• Develop electrification strategies for agricultural businesses
• Buy rooftop solar, a home battery or an EV
• Set up a community-owned renewable energy project

Hubs could also provide advice on:

• Access to grants and subsidies to electrify regional homes, schools and workplaces.
• Energy efficiency advice to all parts of the community so everyone can enjoy the benefits that renewable energy brings.
• The provision of clear plans and sound information about large-scale renewable energy development in our regions.
• Advice for agricultural businesses looking to electrify and decarbonise
• Help to get off expensive diesel in remote areas.

Port Stephens and The Hunter Region

“Increasing transparency and improving coordination between communities, industry and Government during the energy transition will benefit local people, workers and the environment. Local Energy Hubs would complement the work being done in regions like the Hunter to secure a just and sustainable energy transition.” Justin Page, Coordinator, Hunter Jobs Alliance.

Here in the Hunter, we know that the shift to renewable energy is well underway but many people here and across Australia feel that the government isn’t listening to them about their concerns over the rapid speed of change, or the possible impacts of the rollout and beyond.

Environmental organisations, local groups and individuals are increasingly under pressure to share their knowledge and expertise with the broader community. This is because there has been insufficient planning and input from governments at all levels on how advice on the rollout of renewables infrastructure is to be disseminated.

That is why the creation of Local Energy Hubs in rural and regional areas around Australia especially in Renewable Energy Zones like the Hunter Region, is so urgently needed.

Progress already!

It’s been a big few weeks for the campaign – here are some recent highlights from Senior Campaign Manager for Re-Alliance Justin Whelan:

1. Film: The Local Energy Hubs campaign film is now live! You can watch the campaign film and find out more about Local Energy Hubs at our campaign website.  We’d love you to support the campaign by sharing clips from the film on your social media platforms. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
2. Media: we’ve received great media coverage recently, from live breakfast radio interviews, to news bulletins throughout the day, to live interviews on afternoon programs, and into the evening news. The farmers featured in our short film did an amazing job in explaining how Local Energy Hubs could have helped them and will help regional communities in the future.
3. Local Council Open Letter: last week we sent off an open letter from nearly 50 mayors, councillors, and senior council staff to Energy Minister Chris Bowen, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, and Regional Development & Local Government Minister Kristy McBain, supporting Local Energy Hubs as part of a mix of policy solutions to win regional community trust in the renewable energy shift. The support has been fantastic.
4. RE-Alliance National Director, Andrew Bray said: “It’s really exciting to see the level of traction that the concept of Local Energy Hubs is generating. When we speak to communities about the idea of filling a local shopfront with trusted local experts to demystify the shift to renewables – the immediate response is that it’s a no brainer.”
5. Federal, State and Local MPs want Local Energy Hubs for regional communities – 4 September 2024
6. Hunter MPs throw support behind local energy hubs plan – Newcastle Herald 6 September 2024. Sharon Claydon and Dan Repacholi are among dozens of state and federal MPs who have expressed support for the hubs.

What’s next and how you can help

The next online Campaign Supporter Briefing will include updates from our latest round of meetings with Ministers and MPs in Parliament, discuss our growing community campaign in renewables regions, and share the strategy and next steps for how we will secure federal funding for Local Energy Hubs – including how you can help us get there

• Information sessions and film screenings have been occurring throughout the Hunter Region. The next sessions are:
  • Valentine, Lake Macquarie on 29 September at 11am. More details here.
  • Hamilton, Newcastle on 9 October at 5pm. More details here.
• To show the Australian government that there is widespread community support for energy hubs, we would like you to contact your local federal members. In Port Stephens, please contact Meryl Swanson.
• Re-Alliance needs our help to advocate for governments to resource and fund hubs so everyone has access to independent and reliable information, as well as opportunities to have their say – wherever they live.

If you’d like to get involved, please contact the Re-Alliance Hunter Community Organiser

References and useful links:

1, 4. Big renewables need big support: Local Energy Hubs can help us through the change – Dr Jarra Hicks & Andrew Bray in Renew Economy 2 August 2024.

2. Net Zero Plan – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (last update 29 July 2024.)

3. Ipsos | Climate Change Report 2024

5. What are Local Energy Hubs

Re-Alliance places regional renewal at the centre of the renewable energy shift
RE-Alliance is working to secure an energy transformation that delivers long-term benefits and prosperity for regional and rural Australia. They do this by listening to the needs of communities, facilitating collaboration across the renewables industry to deliver social outcomes and advocating for meaningful engagement and benefits for regions.

Community Power Agency
Community Power Agency is an industry leader in understanding the social aspects of renewable energy development, and particularly the impact of different practices of community engagement, benefit sharing and local procurement on social outcomes and social licence.