Blueskin Energy Project

By Scott Willis

Electricity prices, the government predicts, will increase at 1% greater than the rate of inflation for the next 18 years. A number of infrastructural, economic and legislative changes underway right now ensure this is very likely a conservative estimate. Will a local wind cluster reduce power prices? BRCT, which provides governance for the Blueskin Energy Project, is trying its best to find a way to reduce electricity prices via the wind cluster project. That's not as simple as it sounds, under the current legislation. Other desired outcomes include action on climate change (renewable generation), greater energy resilience (generation close to consumers) and social and financial benefits for Blueskin residents (creation of a 'social enterprise'). The best proposal, to best meet all the goals stated above, will be part of our community meetings later this year, for discussion and improvement.

 

BRCT trustees have been assisting the progress on the wind cluster project most recently in informal meetings with the Dunedin City Council. With the development of a citywide DCC 'Energy Strategy' there seems to be even greater alignment between city ambitions and Blueskin ambitions. This increasing alignment may provide the key to unlock New Zealand's first community owned and managed wind cluster.

 

Meanwhile, in researching a business model, we've learnt more about Australia's first community wind cluster (Hepburn Wind) which, after only six months of operation, is already delivering funding to the Hepburn 'Community Sustainability Fund'. Similarly, we've learnt of a UK example from Malcolm McCulloch of West Oxford, who visited recently. There, a small diverse community the size of Blueskin has developed renewable generation from solar photovoltaic panels on large rooves. They are providing an environmental dividend (carbon credits), a social dividend (sustainability initiatives in the community) and a financial dividend (a return on investment) from that development. They have also benefited from a feed-in tariff and government grants, but they were disadvantaged by high infrastructure costs (PV was 10 times the price when they set it up) at the beginning.

 

Finally, with generous support from our partners the Otago Energy Research Centre I was able to attend a "Developing Effective [community energy] Advisors Workshop" in Wellington recently, put on by the Community Energy Network (CEN). There was an impressive group gathered to support delivery of 'public good' energy information and advice (i.e. non-commercial information) and plenty of information about what works best. The CEN is seeking greater capacity to provide a 'hub' service to groups providing community energy services around the country. BRCT is aiming to develop this service locally out of the BRCT community office to add to the Blueskin Energy Project, build energy efficiency and reduce household energy demand while maintaining a healthy environment, in addition to also developing our own renewable generation.

Contact: Scott, 482 2048.