Major council buildings and nearly 30,000 streetlights will be powered with 100 per cent renewable energy under a new contract between Ipswich City Council and publicly-owned CleanCo Queensland.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said this would deliver one of council’s major sustainability goals of 50 per cent emissions reduction.
“This contract will switch almost 30,000 streetlights over to renewable energy, while powering our major facilities such as council’s administration building, Ipswich Central Library and Art Gallery,” Mayor Harding said.
“A key part of council’s contract specifications during the open market procurement process was that the renewable energy products driving this switch had to be based in Queensland.
“I’m pleased that CleanCo, based in Swanbank, will provide energy sourced from windfarms in western and northern Queensland.
“Reducing council’s carbon emissions will provide real benefits for our city and continue our focus on delivering council’s Sustainability Strategy 2021-2026.
“I’m delighted that we have reached this agreement with CleanCo and look forward to our city being powered by renewable energy.”
CleanCo CEO Tom Metcalfe, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding and Minister Lance McCallum at Swanbank
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Jim Madden said the move makes Ipswich just the third local council in Queensland to switch to renewable energy.
“This change will reduce council’s operational emissions by about 13,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year,” Cr Madden said.
“Council approved the negotiation of this power purchase agreement in June, and I’m pleased council selected CleanCo for the seven-year contract.
“Ipswich is proud to be an increasingly sustainable city, and this new agreement continues our commitments to reducing our carbon emissions and delivering a climate-friendly future.”
The multi-year contract will be supported by energy from the Dulacca and Kaban wind farms, in western and northern Queensland.
“This agreement with Ipswich City Council is a testament to CleanCo’s mission to lead the decarbonisation of Queensland’s energy sector while fostering economic growth and job creation in local communities,” CleanCo chief executive officer Tom Metcalfe said.
“Our investment in renewable energy projects across Queensland, including the 250MW, two-hour Swanbank Battery in Ipswich, means we are poised to provide reliable and sustainable energy that aligns with our customers’ goals and contributes to a clean energy future.
“We are proud to support Ipswich City Council as more communities right across Queensland seek opportunities to decarbonise as we move towards a net zero future.”
Find out more about council’s Sustainability Strategy 2021-2026 at council’s website.