Iberdrola Australia Bags RE Supply Agreement With 13 NSW Regional Councils

Spanish energy giant Iberdrola’s Australian arm, Iberdrola Australia has entered a renewable electricity supply agreement with 13 regional councils in the New South Wales (NSW) to provide them with more than 390 GWh of electricity through to the end of 2030.  

Under the agreement, 163 large council sites and streetlighting across the 13 participating councils will secure consistent and reliable energy to power essential infrastructure in regional NSW. This will also protect them from volatile energy prices.   

Iberdrola secured the Powering Tomorrow: Regional Councils NSW PPA with the help of Hunter Joint Organisation, Mid North Coast Joint Organisation, Sourced Energy, Regional Procurement, Procure Group, and Baker McKenzie.  

While some of the councils have opted for 100% renewable energy, others have signed up for varied volumes. For instance, Maitland, MidCoast, and Muswellbrook councils want 100% renewable energy, while Upper Hunter has opted for 30%. The agreement is backed by the state government.  

According to Hunter Joint Organization, “By collaborating, the participating councils increased their collective buying power to secure a competitive deal and reduced the procurement costs by sharing resources and fees.” 

Leeton Shire Council has opted for 100% renewable energy to power its large sites and streetlighting. It says this collective PPA will help it save an estimated AUD 386,480 over the duration of the agreement, compared to its current electricity costs.  

Bellingen Shire Council too has signed up for 100% renewable energy which it says will help it avoid 5,705 tons of carbon emissions over the 6-year agreement.  

Iberdrola will cover the renewable electricity supply under the transaction from its 140.7 MW Capital Wind Farm, the 245 MW Avonlie Solar Farm and the 113.2 MW Bodangora Wind Farm.