SHOALHAVEN City Council's clean energy initiatives with a focus on energy efficiency has been rewarded with a national climate award at the Cities Power Partnership Awards.
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The Cities Power Partnership Awards recognise the work of climate heroes in local governments across the country who are transforming Australia's energy landscape.
Shoalhaven took top honours in the Energy Efficiency Achievement Award for its 'A ray of light still shines bright in the Shoalhaven' project.
Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley said she was delighted to hear the announcement.
"I'm thrilled council has been recognised for its adoption of a series of sustainable energy efficiency and renewable energy projects aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050," she said.
Council is aiming for a 25 per cent reduction target by 2025.
Some of council's recent projects included trialing three fully electric vehicles in its fleet, the installation of more than 400 kW of solar panels across 10 sites, starting a revolving energy fund, replacing 4200 street lights with energy saving LEDs and supporting Repower Shoalhaven's community energy solar farm.
"It shows the public that council has an energy policy and that energy policy is aiming to reach that carbon neutrality," Cr Findlay said.
"It also shows that even regional councils can play a big role in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and embracing clean energy to help generations to come.
"The solar project helps move us toward that goal and the LED lights have reduced our carbon footprint and energy use.
"It's a great start on that carbon reduction journey."
Cr Findlay congratulated Darren O'Connell and his team that have "driven the project".
"They have done a terrific job in pursuing the opportunities for this project and using council's revolving energy fund as a funding source," she said.
Acting director of the Cities Power Partnership, Australia's largest local government climate network, Dr Portia Odell, said that more than double the number of local governments entered the awards this year compared to last, showing how local governments are rising to the challenges of climate change, even in the difficult circumstances of 2020, and playing a vital role in Australia's climate solution.
"The local climate projects on display at these awards, from innovative renewable energy deals that provide communities with clean, reliable and affordable energy, to supporting communities' transition to net zero emissions, are tangible proof that Australian communities are leading the way with practical local climate solutions," she said.
