ENERGY savings of up to 70 per cent have been forecast for Uralla in a blueprint that will put the town, and the region, in the national spotlight.
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NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman was in Uralla yesterday for the launch of the Zero Net Energy Town (ZNET) blueprint, a guide to becoming Australia’s first renewable-energy, self-sufficient town.
“The aim of the blueprint is to identify how an Australian community could satisfy all its energy needs from renewable energy, in a way that is competitive in terms of price, quality, security and reliability,” Mr Speakman said.
Funded under the state government’s Renewable Energy Action Plan, he said the blueprint had the potential to attract renewable-energy investment, build community support and increase local renewable-energy expertise.
Armidale-based Starfish Initiatives secured the funding last year to develop a case study around its ZNET proposal, eventually selecting Uralla based on the amount of support from council, local businesses, community organisations and residents.
It’s hoped Uralla, within a decade, could become the first community in Australia running entirely on renewable energy.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said Uralla had 2500 energy customers spending about $12 million a year to meet their energy needs.
The blueprint suggests that, by employing a range of energy-efficient methods, such as replacing hot water units and installing residential solar panels, there could be annual savings of up to $2.2 million.
“For Uralla Shire, this action alone could save 15.7 per cent of its total energy consumption, with a significant portion of remaining energy consumption being sourced from on-site renewable generation,” Mr Marshall said.
“The most financially-attractive options are residential solar, lighting and hot water unit upgrades, which could reduce energy demand by 20 per cent and result in savings of up to $1000 per household and $3000 per business each year.”
It was also revealed Uralla could generate between 40 and 70 per cent of its energy goals within five years, through energy savings and small-scale renewable-energy generation.
“The blueprint also outlines how the town could become fully self-sufficient on renewable energy, by developing town-scale renewable-energy generation, which is incredibly exciting,” Mr Marshall said.
The project has gained considerable interest from other communities, with more than 20 contacting Starfish Initiatives to express interest in taking part in a similar project.
