Energy Innovation Co-operative Ltd (EICo-op) is a non-trading, not-for-profit co-operative operating since 2009 with the mission ‘working together towards a zero emissions community’. Most but not all its 300+ member/shareholders and activities are located in and around the Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shires, although the Co-op has no geographic limits in its rules.
The Co-op’s current major effort is installing 90 kW on-ground solar PV and 25 kW/h battery storage at the State Coal Mine tourism precinct in Wonthaggi, as part of a broader ‘Old Energy-New Energy’ project. This installation and associated activities have been funded via the Victorian Government’s New Energy Jobs Fund grant (round 2). The installation will be owned by the EICo-op, and income from power sold to Parks Victoria through a PPA will be used by the Co-op to support its revolving Southern CORE (Community Owned Renewable Energy) Fund. (See our donation project). Investment CORE projects are planned.
The Co-op further enacts its mission through information evenings, participating in local festivals, offering speakers on renewables and energy efficiency, organising tours of energy efficient housing, and publishing newsletters and reports for local and social media.
Our beautiful region is made up of hills, coast and mostly small rural communities. Community volunteering is central to our quality of life, and the Co-op both operates with volunteers, and seeks to support the volunteering efforts of other groups.
Photo: Energy Innovation Co-operative at the State Coal Mine Wonthaggi; from left Andrew Macarthy (Gippsland Solar in-kind support), John Coulter (Project Officer), Simon Corbell (Victorian Government Renewable Energy Advocate) Susan Davies (EICo-op Sec.).
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