Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) emissions reduction project
Key points
- Council is proud to be one of 51 Victorian councils to sign on to the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO), the largest emissions reduction project ever undertaken by local government in Australia.
- We transitioned most of our buildings and facilities, including streetlights, to the renewable energy project from 1 July 2022, following the end of our previous energy contract.
- The project is currently being led by the City of Glen Eira.
How it works
The 51 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 2 wind farms in Victoria.
Watch the video
What we’ve achieved
VECO is on track to reduce Cardinia Shire Council’s greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 5,500 tonnes of CO2e and its electricity costs by an estimated $90,000 this financial year (2022-23).
The VECO project has helped deliver on Council’s climate emergency commitments reflected in Council’s Aspirational Energy Transition Plan.
Our operations, including streetlights, libraries, children’s and community centres, are now powered by 100 percent renewable electricity.
This renewable energy is essential to achieve our goal of net zero Council emissions by 2024.
Approximately 172,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions have been saved by participating councils in the program’s first 12 months, which is equivalent to powering up to 35,000 homes or taking 66,000 cars off the road each year.
The collective investment in Victorian renewables has also provided electricity 25 percent cheaper over its first 12 months. These savings can be redirected to critical community services provided by Council.