The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is slashing emissions and saving on power costs thanks to two solar-battery and storage projects funded by the Victorian Government’s $1.1 million Traditional Owner Renewable Energy Program.
Under the program, the corporation installed two integrated solar energy generation and storage systems − a 15kW-48kWH solar-battery system in Ballan and a 7.4kW-13kWh system in Ballarat.
The renewable energy systems are providing a sustainable, clean energy source that reduces the corporation’s associated energy costs and will reduce carbon emissions by 45 tons per year.
The Traditional Owner Renewable Energy Program is designed to support Aboriginal participation and adoption of new energy technologies, boost skills and help fuel a clean energy driven economic recovery with grants of up to $100,000 available to Traditional Owner Corporations.
Other Traditional Owner Corporations that have received funding under the program include: Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Wurundjeri Land & Compensation Cultural Heritage Council Aboriginal Corporation, First People of Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation, Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and, Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the state government acknowledges the right to self-determination and recognises that only when Aboriginal people are central to the decision-making processes that affect their lives, will sustained and long-term changes in wellbeing and the health of country be achieved.
“We’re supporting Aboriginal communities to harness renewable energy, save money on bills and help meet our goal of halving the state’s emissions by 2030,” she said.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gabrielle Williams said “renewable energy projects like this support community to reduce their emissions to protect the environment, and reduce the costs to local Aboriginal Corporations, so that they can keep supporting their communities to thrive.”
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