Over the last 12 months:
Kevin Smith
June 26 2025
- REB has been following Utility Solar Farms in the Benalla/Glenrowan areas. Some will include Big Batteries and Battery ‘Farms’ in the North-East. REB supports these, as they are not utilising prime farmland, and the marginal land in the Glenrowan area is obviously good from an electrical transmission point of view. These projects will involve Community Contributions as dictated by Vic. State Government.
- In the last couple of months, AEMO allowed PV and Farms to be considered as one generating entity. This has greatly changed the industry economics and has been sought after by the Developers.
- REB notes that Utility sized PV Farms and/or Batteries are privately owned profit-making entities, run for profit, not for Community benefit. Although there are obvious Network benefits (and the necessity) for more big batteries, the big Generators are now owning batteries and using them to maximise their profits. AEMO needs to catch up with their regulations to prevent this screwing of the general public [high tariff rates]
- The same (as above) for Neighbourhood Batteries – eg Benalla Library. Currently, with the existing tariff structure, there is no way that so called Neighbourhood Batteries can benefit the Community. REB is watching with interest the new round of tariffs just being announced.
- Community Energy Network (CEN) MeetIngs have the same issues – How to structure for the Community to benefit? REB members attend these Meetings.
- Developers have Community Obligations by legislation. REB has been talking with Developer and Goulburn Valley Community Energy (GVCE). GVCE are trying to co-ordinate this funding as a single entity, with REB support.
- REB is also working with GVCE to develop an education program for All Electric and Getting Off Gas.
- New proposal for REB Revolving Fund to provide PV for Community Projects. This follows the successful projects with two Benalla Kindergartens, and we will shortly finalise agreement with another educational entity.
- REB is closely following progress of an Indigo Power project of sharing PV power peer to peer. This would be a great game changer if they can get it up (the major networks and distributors are NOT in favour!) . Just about everyone would prefer to direct their excess PV power to friends or businesses rather than give it away to the networks for just about nothing (as of August).
Kevin Smith
June 26 2025
