Woy Woy tip fees help fund Council solar power project

The benefits of carbon pricing will be felt by Central Coast Council more than six years after it was repealed by the Federal Government.

Gate fees collected at Woy Woy tip from 2012 to 2014, which included carbon pricing, have helped fund a solar energy project for the Council.

Council will install 3500 rooftop solar panels generating 1.2 megawatts of power from 28 Council buildings.

This is equivalent to the electricity used by 230 local homes, according to mayor Cr Lisa Matthews.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year and to save the Council about $220,000 annually in energy costs

Cr Matthews said project will see energy consumption reduced by about 1.4 gigawatt-hours annually and reduce Council's carbon footprint by the equivalent of 1100 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.

Cr Matthews said the project delivered both environmental and financial benefits.

"It is rewarding to see a project underway which not only reduces Council expenses but also incorporates renewable energy for the conservation, protection and remediation of our environment."

SOURCE:

Media release, 7 Jul 2020

Lisa Matthews, Central Coast Council