ENERGY INNOVATION CO-OPERATIVE LTD·FRIDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2019·
The Energy Innovation Co-operative Ltd was formally registered as trading Co-operative in August 2009, with Susan Davies as founding Chair, and a board of nine including Moragh Mackay (Deputy Chair) and Bruce Hydon (Treasurer). By July 2011 the EICo-op was managing projects with $310,000 worth of grants and almost 200 members.At end July 2012, we completed our contract with Sustainability Victoria for the Southern Solar Hub, which successfully facilitated over 650kW of solar PV, into Bass Coast, South Gippsland, Cardinia and beyond. In 2013, the Co-op changed its rules via a special resolution of members, to make it a non-trading Co-op, clarifying its not-for-profit status for state and federal government requirements. In 2015 we donated funds towards a solar battery system for Grow Lightly's Food Hub in Korumburra and KooWeeRup Sustainability Centre. In 2016 we launched the Southern CORE (Community Owned Renewable Energy) Fund, a revolving fund where donor funds are used to assist community groups to install solar on community buildings. Our application for Registered Environmental Organisation (DGR) status, and for registration as a charity, was granted in November 2017. The EICo-op Public Fund can now offer tax deductibility to donations. The first no-interest loan was provided to Foster community Pool Association in November 2017, thanks to a generous donation from Electrical Trades Union of Vic. Funds have been raised and further no-interest loans were approved for Grantville Hall, Bass Coast Adult Education Centre in Wonthaggi, Artist Resource Collective (ARC) Yinnar in Latrobe Valley. A grant was obtained by the Co-op for Grantville Hall instead of a loan, and the solar panel installation is just about completed (August 2019) More applications are being processed. In 2017 Stage 1 & 2 of our Old Energy- New Energy Project at the State Coal Mine Wonthaggi gained funding from the Vic Government's New Energy Jobs Fund. The project will provide a model for installing renewables in State & National Parks. The installation of 92 kW solar PV and 40 kWh batteries adjacent to the Mine, is owned by the Co-op, with income from the sale of green power to Parks Victoria being mainly allocated to the Southern CORE Fund. In 2018 the Energy Innovation Co-op initiated a collaboration of multiple community and business groups on Phillip Island, forming the Totally Renewable Phillip Island movement. A large community meeting supported the target that Phillip Island will be net zero emissions by 2030, and there are now six working groups leading a wide range of activities. (See Totally Renewable PI page). Bass Coast Shire has recently provided some additional funding to support this collaboration, plus to begin the development of similar collaborations in other Bass Coast Communities. And the work continues. We now have around 340 shareholders, and always welcome more!
