Warrnambool City Council is one of 46 Victorian Councils to sign on to VECO, the Victorian Energy Collaboration, the largest ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia.

VECO, led by Darebin City Council in Melbourne’s north, will provide 45 per cent of all Victorian Councils’ electricity requirements with 100 per cent renewables, reducing greenhouse emissions by 260,000 tonnes of C02-e every year.

Initiated by and facilitated with the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances, VECO recognises the benefits of renewable energy for the environment and the economy. The ground-breaking project will reduce each of the Council’s current energy bills and reduce electricity prices by using clean renewable energy generated right here in Victoria.

By joining the project, Warrnambool City Council will power 40 per cent of its total energy use with 100 per cent renewables. This will put Council on track to meet its 2026 goal of sourcing 40 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable sources.

The renewable power will be allocated to facilities and infrastructure including streetlights, the Civic Centre, the Warrnambool Stadium and a large section of Surfside Holiday Park.

VECO is expected to save Council up to 35 per cent on electricity bills for those Council sites, which will equate to about $80,000 in the first year based on 2019-2020 energy prices.

Warrnambool Mayor Cr Vicki Jellie said joining VECO provided both a cost-saving and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

“Moving to renewable energy is a step our community called for during the development of the Warrnambool 2040 plan,” Cr Jellie said.“We will also be installing photovoltaic panels on a number of key council buildings, including the Civic Centre, over the next year. This will further offset our energy consumption.”