Council on a greener path

Dec 20, 2022

**Powered up:** Greater Shepparton City Council has slashed its electricity bill and greenhouse gas emissions in 12 months. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Greater Shepparton City Council has cut its energy bill by almost $100,000 and slashed greenhouse gas emissions in the past year.

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Having signed on to a joint renewable electricity contract, Victorian Energy Collaboration, Greater Shepparton City Council is one of 51 Victorian councils to have scored electricity 25 per cent cheaper over the first 12 months.

By using renewable energy, council reduced emissions by 6406 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and saved $99,571 — money that will be redirected to community services.

“Greater Shepparton City Council operations are powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity — including street lights, libraries, leisure centres and electric vehicles,” council director sustainable development Geraldine Christou said.

“This is essential in achieving our goal of net zero council emissions by 2030.”

The long-term contract with Red Energy has seen councils slash approximately 172,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in the year, the equivalent of powering up to 35,000 homes or taking 66,000 cars off the road each year.