Armidale Regional Council (ARC) has agreed to a benefit sharing arrangement with energy company ACENERGY which could see millions of dollars invested in the community.
ACENERGY is behind a proposed 400-megawatt battery energy storage system in Armidale with Councillors endorsing the agreement at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday February 26.
This agreement is one of a number of benefit sharing arrangements made with other renewable energy companies which could bring in more than fifty million dollars to support community amenity projects in the Armidale Region.
If approved, Gara BESS will be one of the state’s largest battery energy storage systems and will connect directly to existing 330kV network infrastructure.
According to ACENERGY the project will support New South Wales’s clean energy transition and secure reliable, affordable power.
“We are very excited to see this benefit sharing framework come to fruition and be partnering with ACENERGY Pty Ltd,” said ARC Mayor Sam Coupland.
“We are looking forward to the contributed funds being invested in and applied to community projects that will have a massive intergenerational benefit to our region.”
“With the success we’ve seen in negotiating many millions for the community we need to ensure that these funds are preserved for future generation and are directed to meaningful projects that make our region a better place to live.”
“We didn’t choose the Renewable Energy Zone, but it is our mining boom and we need to make sure that our community receives its fair share of benefit from supporting the States transition to net zero.”
ACENERGY’s origination manager, Marley Brown, welcomed the collaboration with the Armidale Regional Council, labelling the agreement an illustration of community-focussed development.
“We are committed to ensuring that our proposed BESS project delivers for the region in real ways. As well as jobs and economic opportunity, we want to ensure that our Community Benefit Fund reaches people, projects and initiatives that make a real difference in Armidale.”
“We are thankful for the Council’s support toward ensuring maximum impact and benefit for local residents of we look forward to progressing in consultation with the community.”
Something going on in your part of the region you think people should know about? Send us a news tip or email newsdesk@netimes.com.au.