The microgrid project began in community meetings in 2020
The Cobargo microgrid project began in 2020 as a result of community discussions after the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires.
In community gatherings attended by concerned residents, businesses and organisations following the fires, a key concern was vulnerability to climate extremes causing power outages due to our location at the edge of the grid. People were alarmed by the impacts of the loss of basic services in the aftermath of the fires and understood that increasing local renewable energy, electrification, and energy efficiency, would simultaneously decrease energy vulnerability, increase resilience, reduce emissions and create local economic benefits.
The Cobargo microgrid project was one of ways the community could take action on developing energy resilience and preparedness for future grid outages.
Community conversations and consultations continued in 2022 and 2023
Cobargo and District Energy Transition (CaDET) has taken the lead on working towards a microgrid for Cobargo. Over the past two years:
- we have held three whole-of-community consultations: in March 2022, April 2023, September 2023, and
- six community organisation briefings: from May to October 2023.
Conversation in September 2023
In September 2023 CaDET held a community conversation at the Cobargo Showgrounds. Everyone from the Cobargo and District community was invited to participate, and more than 50 people attended.
The notes below provide a summary of the discussions and the ideas that emerged from the consultation.
Notes from the conversation
In 2024 we look forward to further microgrid conversations, discussions and consultations
Last updated 5 December 2023