All Randwick Council operations including libraries, sports fields, DRLC and council street lights will be powered by 100% solar energy from 1 July 2022 under a landmark new deal.

In one of the largest renewable energy deals for local government, Randwick Council along with 24 other participating NSW councils, will be supplied by three NSW solar farms under a deal brokered by the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) with ZEN Energy.

Worth approximately $180 million, the landmark retail electricity agreement will deliver over 214 gigawatt hours of electricity per year to 25 councils across NSW.

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said the deal would reduce Council’s electricity emissions to zero – effectively saving around 7,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.

“This is a landmark energy deal for local government. As electricity usage makes up about 60% of our total greenhouse gas emissions, this is a significant step in reducing our emissions as we transition to net zero emissions.

“It shows the collective power of local government to work together to deliver real savings and sustainability benefits for our communities.

“It also delivers on our goal of procuring 100% renewable energy three years ahead of our target date,” says Mayor Parker.

The solar deal will supply electricity from solar farms in Moree, Hillston and Nevertire to power over 300 major council facilities, more than 210,000 streetlights and more than 3000 small sites managed by councils.

The 25 participating councils collectively represent over 3 million people, which is almost 38% of NSW population. The agreement commences 1 July 2022 and runs to 2026 with an option to extend to 2030.

The participating councils are: Bayside, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Georges River, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Liverpool, Mosman, North Sydney, Parramatta, Port Stephens, Randwick, Ryde, Singleton, Sutherland, Tamworth, Waverley, Willoughby and Woollahra.