Eleven trailblazing community renewables projects have been recognised in the inaugural Climate Council Choice Awards. These Awards highlight how renewable projects across Australia are not only embraced by local communities but also transforming them: from reducing power bills and boosting energy security, empowering First Nations communities, and enhancing regional skills.
Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie, said: "These awards show that renewables are delivering for everyday Aussies—cleaner power, lower bills, and stronger communities are just some of the brilliant benefits of a national renewable power system.
"From rooftops to the grid, it's essential every community shares in the social, economic, and environmental benefits of renewable energy from the sun and wind, backed by storage."
Renewable power already makes up around 40 percent of the power in Australia's main grid, and Australians want more of it. Two-thirds of Australians living in cities and rural areas support renewable power projects, including within their own communities.
Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie, said: "The next term of government takes us to 2030, when we need to have cut climate pollution from coal, oil, and gas by 75 percent. Coal is rapidly on the way out and we can replace it with more clean, affordable, and reliable renewable power.
"To protect Australians from the worst effects of climate change and address cost of living pressures, whoever forms the next government must maintain momentum by supporting and investing in more projects like the 11 we have awarded. This will enable more Australians to access the benefits of the energy transition, and secure a safer future from us all."
Community Case studies available from Climate Media Centre
Since these award winning renewable projects came to town they've had a huge impact in the community. These are just some people enjoying the benefits of renewables investment in regional Australia.
Bomen Solar Farm
Naomie Falconer, Mechanical Supervisor in Solar Wagga Wagga, NSW
Naomie Falconer has been working in solar since the Women in Solar program at Bomen Solar Farm. Over the past five years she's worked on different installations across NSW and Victoria and progressed from a labourer to a mechanical supervisor. She never thought of a career in solar until the Bomen initiative. She's the only female supervisor at her current site and says some days can be tough but loves her work saying she learns something new every day.
Ben Hinkelmann, Beekeeper and Small Business Owner Wagga Wagga, NSW
Ben Hinkelmann of Queen and Honey keeps five permanent beehives on the site of the Bomen Solar Farm. During yellow box blossom he has kept 120 hives on the site. He says over the five years the bees have lived there the area remains in flower despite the usually quite dry weather of Wagga.
Haystacks Solar Garden
Gemma Meier, Farmer and Host Grong Grong, NSW
Gemma Meier is a farmer in Grong Grong who hosts the Haystacks Solar Garden. It's a mixed broadacre family farm purchased in 1998. She is paid a lease to host the solar garden but is more interested in the community and social benefits.
Elizabeth Gay Campbell, Solar Gardener Riverina, NSW
Elizabeth Gay Campbell is a local renter who wanted to get the advantages of solar. As a pensioner, her share in the solar garden was subsidised by other solar gardeners.
Hepburn Energy
Linda Carroll, Co-ordinator Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre Daylesford, VIC
Hepburn Energy organised a solar array and heat pump system for the neighbourhood centre. The heat pump system warms showers in their hygiene centre for rough sleepers.
Zane Conroy, Managing Director O'Brien Electrical Engineering & Contractors Ballarat, VIC
Zane Conroy is a local business owner who has worked on Hepburn projects since their first commission.
New England Solar Farm
Simon Wood, Grazier Uralla, NSW
Simon Wood hosts the New England Solar Farm. It takes up 1500 acres of his 4000-acre property, and he runs sheep under it. He says the panels provide extra protection for the grass, taking the brunt of the sun and protecting from frost in the winter. It also provides him with a passive income.
Tara Toomey, Small Business Owner and Community Leader Uralla, NSW
Tara Toomey is a small business owner and organiser of the Season of New England festival—an expo of local produce and artisans that attracts 8000 people to the region. ACEN has been supporting the festival for a number of years. Financially, they have contributed $5000 to the festival annually, but they also offer free staffing of a water tent to the plastic bottle-free event.
Denmark Community Windfarm
Nicole Hodgson, Shareholder and Community Leader Denmark, WA
Nicole Hodgson is a University lecturer in sustainability and resilience at Murdoch and an environmental activist. She is a shareholder and has been involved in community organisations that have benefited from the project's sustainability fund.
Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY)
Cheryl Graham, Farmer Yackandandah, VIC
TRY helped Cheryl and her family to organise a no interest loan for solar on their property and helped them source state subsidies for electrifying their home. To them the company is a great source of information for making their home more sustainable and smarter. They will turn to TRY again soon when they're ready to look at battery options.
| CATEGORY | PROJECT WINNER | REASON FOR AWARD |
| Solar Saver | Haystacks Solar Garden, Riverina, New South Wales | Haystacks is the first solar garden in Australia - leading the way to show how we can unlock the benefits of solar for people renting and living in apartments with community-owned renewables. |
| Women in Renewables | Bomen Solar Farm, near Wagga Wagga, New South Wales | Bomen Solar Farm's 'Women in Solar' program shows how the industry can combat traditional barriers to employment in the energy sector, by directly helping women gain new skills, experience and qualifications for future employment in energy. |
| Energy Equity | South Australia's Virtual Power Plant (VPP), connecting social housing properties across South Australia | South Australia's VPP is leading the way to show how governments can help lower power bills for citizens who are doing it tough (in this case: those living in social housing), while also helping to provide more clean power to the community and strengthening the energy grid. |
| Greener Grazing | New England Solar Farm, Uralla, New South Wales | The New England Solar Farm demonstrates how renewables can happily coexist with farming. As one of Australia's newest and largest solar farms, it's providing ideal grazing conditions for around 6,500 sheep and lambs. |
| Empowering First Nations | Marlinja Microgrid, Marlinja, Northern Territory | The Marlinja Microgrid is leading the way for other projects to help First Nations communities take control of their power. For the first time, First Nations pre-paid meter customers will be able to benefit directly from their own solar investment; working in a similar way to the benefits enjoyed by households with rooftop solar. |
| People-Powered | Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY), Yackandandah, Victoria | TRY is punching well above its weight and showing how a small, volunteer-led group can achieve amazing things. We are especially big fans of its Virtual Power Plant, which generates and stores clean power and gives it back to the Yack minigrid so other locals can access it. |
| Brighter Futures | Victorian Big Battery (VBB), Geelong, Victoria | VB is already a household brand, but wait until you hear about VBB. It's one of the world's biggest batteries, and empowers future generations by supporting science and sustainability initiatives at a local school, and funds a scholarship for diverse students to pursue a career in STEM through Deakin University. |
| Trailblazing Towns | Denmark Community Wind Farm in Western Australia and Hepburn Community Wind Farm in Victoria | The Denmark and Hepburn community-owned wind farms have been powering their communities for more than 10 years. They were ahead of the curve in showing what's possible to achieve when a small group of passionate, hard-working people join forces to help their community and the planet. |
| Workforce Ready | Karadoc Solar Farm, near Mildura, Victoria | Karadoc Solar Farm shows how renewable power projects can actively contribute to employment in regional communities. More than 300 locals worked on its construction, all from diverse backgrounds, as part of its construction and it has also helped 25 apprentices start careers in solar. |
| Dream team | Kennedy Energy Park, Queensland | Kennedy Energy Park is the first in the world to combine the dream team of wind, solar and battery storage all in one place. It is also doing its bit to support local sports teams, among many other initiatives that are revitalising the community. |
