working together to power 51 councils with renewable energy
One big renewable energy contract
VECO is the largest emissions reduction project ever undertaken by the local government sector in Australia. By using renewable energy we’ll be saving 260,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere – the same as taking 90,000 cars off the road.
51 Victorian Councils have pooled their electricity needs into one long-term contract with Red Energy which will provide the VECO group with renewable energy generated from wind farms here in Victoria. From 1 July 2021, that renewable energy will be used to power our council-owned infrastructure, like our town halls, sports grounds, community venues, leisure centres and streetlights.
The VECO project doesn’t just benefit the environment – by joining together, we are saving on energy bills.
Every dollar saved is another dollar that will be put back into providing vital community services and programs that benefit all of us.
The renewable energy will be provided by two wind farms in Victoria – Dundonnell wind farm near Mortlake, which started exporting power to the grid in March 2020, and Murra Warra II wind farm near Horsham, which commenced construction September 2020 and will be fully operational by June 2022.
Both wind farms have and will continue to deliver economic benefits to the regions during construction and ongoing operation, and form an important part of state, regional and local economic development.
So, how does VECO work?
And what are the benefits?
We’ve tried to answer all your questions and more in this short animated explainer video.
VECO Launch Event Reel
Real change at a big scale
By coming together in this land-mark collaboration, we will lower the state’s carbon footprint, save ratepayer money, create new jobs and invest in a more sustainable future for all Victorians.
