Council has taken another large step in cutting emissions and supporting renewable energy after signing a new Power Purchasing Agreement towards using 100 per cent renewable energy from January 2023.

The Power Purchasing Agreement will see Camden join Penrith, Wollongong, Wingebarribee, Queanbeyan-Pelerang, Albury and Bega Councils in a 10-year deal with Snowy Hydro through Red Energy, utilising the Metz Solar farm near Armidale in the New England region of New South Wales.

The deal will see renewable energy used in a staged approach. Initially this will include energy for all of our streetlighting as well as seven large Council sites in Camden, including:

• Oran Park Administration Building and Oran Park Library;
• Camden Library, Narellan Library;
• Council’s Narellan Depot;
• Council’s Smeaton Grange Depot;
• Mount Annan Leisure Centre; and,
• Camden War Memorial Pool.

A number of sites will have smart meters installed including Camden Civic Centre, Curry Reserve Water Play Space, Emerald Hills Reserve and Narellan Sports Hub.

Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli, said the new deal will be a significant contributor to meeting Council’s target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

“Council is committed to investigating options to become more sustainable across the Camden area.” Cr Fedeli said.

“The move to a Power Purchasing Agreement and securing 100 per cent renewable energy means approximately 90 per cent of Council’s electricity usage will be from renewable sources from the turn of the new year.

“I am proud to be leading a progressive Council and looking for ways to enhance the community for years to come.”

Council’s Sustainability Strategy 2020-24 identifies the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

For more information on sustainability in Camden, go to www.camden.nsw.gov.au/sustainability