WINconnect is the first ever community energy network provider to receive GreenPower accreditation, giving customers in its apartment and multi-dwelling units access to 100 per cent renewable energy.
GreenPower is a government accreditation program that works by independently auditing electricity providers such as WINconnect, who supply electricity to customers to make sure the right amount of renewable energy is fed into the grid depending on what the customer preselects.
With consumer sentiment shifting in line with environmental concerns, WINconnect chief executive Phil Baxter said the partnership with GreenPower is all about choice.
"With more than 2.3 million people in Australia living in apartment buildings, WINconnect is committed to supporting owners’ corporations and individuals who choose to live sustainably," Baxter said.
"We want to ensure that people living in the buildings we operate have access to GreenPower should they choose.
"To achieve this goal, we work with developers who share our ethos and are committed to delivering long-term environmental benefits to the communities we work with."
Community energy network providers like WINconnect, also known as embedded networks, operate privately-owned metering networks that enable them to pool their energy and purchasing power.
These organisations are well known for their sustainable benefits such as electric vehicle charging or generating energy through rooftop solar, which is then distributed to either common areas or to apartment dwellers to reduce costs. This is a fundamental aspect of a community energy network setup.
When a building uses more energy than can be generated through sustainable means, WINconnect community energy networks reach to the grid for extra help. Much of this power is still generated by fossil fuels.
In addition to the government-mandated 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target, WINconnect customers will be able to purchase an additional 25, 50 or 100 per cent renewable energy, depending on their requirements.
Baxter emphasised the economic benefit that community energy networks have over conventional grid customers.
“Unlike conventional grid customers, WINconnect’s community networks offer customers and owners corporations value, as electricity can be generated via their own solar panels first," Baxter said.
"Then, any deficit power can be made up from renewables pumped into the grid thanks to GreenPower.
"Our new GreenPower options mean that our customers can effectively purchase their electricity from 100 per cent renewable sources when their own solar doesn’t deliver for all their requirements."
National GreenPower Steering Group chair Tim Stock said WINconnect’s accreditation as a GreenPower Provider will give renters and apartment dwellers access to trusted, accredited renewable energy.
"WINconnect’s accreditation means that no matter who you are, where you live or how your community energy network is configured, WINconnect customers can access clean renewable energy with the knowledge that it is backed by independent government accreditation," Stock said.
The national scheme is managed by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment on behalf of the National GreenPower Steering Group.
Since 2011, almost $500 million has been invested back to renewable energy generators through GreenPower purchases.
Baxter said he looks forward to working with developers and WINconnect customers to increase Australia’s uptake of renewable energy.
“WINconnect’s community energy network setups already generate over 1,500MWh of renewable energy each year, with an additional 3.7MWp in the pipeline," said Baxter.
"We are excited and proud WINconnect customers and developers can choose to be part of our sustainable future. Through GreenPower, we will see this exponentially expand—which is a great thing for Australia.
To find out more about how WINconnect is delivering sustainable benefits for its customers, and how they can assist on your next project, visit winconnect.com.au.
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