Solar project to power local community and beyond

The regional town of Newstead in Victoria has witnessed the official opening of a milestone energy project which the community has worked towards since 2008.

From its inception, the Newstead Community Energy Project has been led by Renewable Newstead, a committee of local residents determined to generate renewable energy locally and cut their carbon footprint.

Following finalisation of the project site, about 5 km from Newstead (140 km north-west of Melbourne), Renewable Newstead secured a $1.1 million grant from the Victorian Government in 2019, after earlier receiving support to investigate the most suitable renewable energy source for the area.

Then, after a national search, Renewable Newstead engaged renewable energy company Flow Power in 2021 to build, own and operate the battery and solar farm, and retail the electricity it generates.

Victoria’s Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources, Lily D'Ambrosio, officially opened the 3 MW generating facility and 5 MWh battery energy storage system, completing a decade-long commitment to the project.

The Minister was joined at the opening by Flow Power representatives, project leaders, Newstead residents and representatives of the Djaara Traditional Owners group.

The battery and solar farm will feed renewable electricity directly to the grid, generating enough energy for up to 1000 homes — about double Newstead’s current requirements. To maintain the farm’s connection with the community, Flow Power will then make available 100% GreenPower-accredited electricity directly to Newstead homes and businesses that sign up to its Flow Home residential energy plan.

For every unit of electricity used on this plan, the Newstead Community Energy Project will send renewable energy into Victoria’s grid on behalf of that home. Under the Flow Home energy plan, the retail tariff is structured to reward customers for using energy during peak renewable generation periods and discourage use during peak demand periods when it costs more.

“This is a great day for our small community that’s taken the reins and worked so hard for so long to shape our collective future,” said Renewable Newstead Convenor Geoff Park. “Newstead can rightly take a bow. We are grateful for Flow Power’s invaluable collaboration and the Victorian Government’s support, especially from our local MP Maree Edwards and Minister D’Ambrosio.”

Flow Power CEO Matthew van der Linden said, “Newstead is a community of passionate, forward-thinking, engaged individuals who are demonstrating the change that is necessary for a successful energy transition. This requires not just the support, but the active participation of energy-literate communities and households.

“Critically, when energy is cheapest is when the grid is most powered by renewables and by linking the two through their retail plan, Newstead residents will be playing their part in actively driving Australia’s energy transition,” Van der Linden continued.

“The Newstead Energy Project is the first of its kind for Victoria and a powerful template for how community, government and industry can work together to propel the energy transition forward,” he said.

The 6.2-hectare site consists of 72 rows of panels, each over 80 m long and 6 m apart. It includes a tracking system to follow the sun and provide maximum energy production. The site has been established to allow for agricultural sheep grazing during operations.

To learn more about the project, visit: https://flowpower.com.au/newstead-energy-project/.

Image caption: (L–R) Matthew van der Linden, Flow Power; Genevieve Barlow, Renewable Newstead; Tosh Szatow, Flow Power; Minister D'Ambrosio; Don Culvenor, Renewable Newstead; Hon Maree Edwards MP, Bendigo West; Geoff Park, Renewable Newstead; Jane Lean, Renewable Newstead.