New partnership to deliver training to local councils and businesses across Queensland

  • Renewable Energy Zones are rolling out across the state.
  • Miles Government delivering $270,000 to support a renewable energy education program to benefit communities that host renewable energy projects.
  • EOIs now open for 10 training workshops targeting Queensland councils and businesses

The Miles Labor Government and the Business Renewables Centre Australia have joined forces to support local councils and big business in delivering significant benefits to regional communities as part of the Renewable Energy Zones roll-out across the state.

Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) allow companies to buy renewable electricity directly from generators such as solar and wind farms, and from renewable energy retailers.

The partnership will ensure benefits to regional communities go beyond the greening of energy to also deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits for the host communities.

The Community Benefits and PPA Education Initiative will include a series of 10 practical workshops for Queensland councils and businesses to give participants insights into how to secure green electricity, cost savings and community benefits as part of a PPA contract.

It will also include delivery of a guide, developed specifically for Queensland’s market and policy context, to provide ways for businesses, councils, and communities to take advantage of these opportunities.

This initiative comes off the back of a successful pilot in August 2023, in which councils and businesses from Gladstone and Toowoomba gained expertise and confidence on executing PPAs to meet electricity and sustainability goals.

Businesses and councils across Queensland’s regions are encouraged to register their interest in the program at program businessrenewables.org.au/queensland-community-benefits-ppa-training-program-2024-2025 or email info@businessrenewables.org.au

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Energy and Climate, Mick de Brenni:

“Queensland is leading the way when it comes to creating a clean economy, and the Miles Government is ensuring all Queenslanders benefit from the energy transition.

“That’s why we’re partnering with the Business Renewables Centre Australia to ensure local councils and businesses understand how Power Purchase Agreements can be used to directly benefit their communities.

“Renewable energy means we can protect existing jobs, ensuring the long-term health and wellbeing of Queensland’s regional communities.”

Quotes attributable to Business Renewable Centre Australia Program Director, Jackie McKeon:

“The Business Renewables Council is excited to be working with the Department of Energy and Climate to increase capability around power purchase agreements for councils and organisations across Queensland to enhance community benefits.

“Nationally, PPAs are now delivering essential community benefits – including local jobs, training and supplier programs, water resource management programs, community access to cheaper green electricity, community partnerships and benefits funds, first nations partnerships, co-location of agricultural and energy generation land uses, and nature positive projects, just to name a few. Renewable energy development should be a positive for communities, and this can become the norm when council and businesses are enabled through training and support.

“Between 60-70% of councils across Victoria and New South Wales and hundreds of businesses nationally have already implemented PPAs and are enjoying the benefits. There is a huge opportunity for Queensland Councils to similarly benefit from the significant emissions reductions, cost savings and long-term community benefits PPAs can provide.

“Through our years of experience supporting some of Australia’s most high-profile companies and councils, we understand how our PPA training can empower participants to think differently about their energy options. We are now working with a wide cross-section of government and business participants and business to set the standard for social licence and genuine community benefits for long-term resilience of regional communities as part of PPAs.”