Northern Beaches Council is leading the way in reducing sky-rocketing energy costs by offering help to local businesses via a group Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

An effective PPA model is being sought through an expression of interest and is expected to lead to a group PPA – a long term renewable electricity contract between a buyer and a generator or vendor which will directly benefit local participating businesses by offsetting their carbon emissions and generating real savings on electricity bills.

Suitable businesses that join the PPA buyer’s group can collectively scale up their buying power whilst cutting time, complexity and costs associated with going it alone.

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said this was an incredible step for a local council.

“Since entering our own Power Purchase Agreement and installing solar panels on our buildings, Council’s own annual electricity costs are expected to be slashed by a staggering $2.4 million over the next seven years, so not only will we reduce our carbon footprint, but these savings mean the money can be diverted back into the community for infrastructure and projects,” Mayor Regan said.

“There are more than 32,000 businesses on the Northern Beaches who, between them, are responsible for 38% of CO2 emissions of which around 61% is from electricity emissions.

“Our appetite for renewable energy and aspiration to reach a corporate net zero target by 2030 has well and truly become our passion and we want local businesses to know they can do the same with our help.

“We’re hoping to create an opportunity for local businesses to join forces and negotiate a great long-term deal that is secure, affordable at market-driven rates and not to mention the environment benefits – it’s a win, win.”

Council’s PPA is currently with Iberdrola, which owns the Bodangora Wind Farm in regional NSW where our offsets are sourced.

Expressions of interest are currently being sought from organisations that can set up and run a PPA for our local businesses. Applications can be submitted via Tenderlink by 22 November 2022.

Council will review the submissions to determine the best model for our local businesses over the next few months.

Businesses who are keen to be involved should register their interest by sending an email to sustainabilitybusinessnetwork@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au quoting “PPA” in the subject headline.  A member of our team can then get in touch with further information about the project.