{"id":30,"date":"2021-08-24T11:21:51","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T01:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewablecobargo.com\/?page_id=30"},"modified":"2026-02-11T15:51:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T04:51:14","slug":"cobargo-energy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/renewablecobargo.com\/","title":{"rendered":"RENEWABLE COBARGO"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Our view of the
Cobargo Solar Farm Proposal<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

People may be aware that the multinational renewables company, EDP Renewables, has lodged a Development Application with Bega Valley Shire Council for a solar farm, south of Cobargo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This DA does not fulfil the objectives of the Cobargo and District Energy Transition Group (CaDET). It does not address the concerns we have gathered through our community consultation process. It has been submitted against the wishes of CaDET. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CaDET was set up after the Black Summer bushfires, when we had extensive grid power outages. It was set up by local volunteers as a not-for-profit community organisation to look at ways to provide more secure power during disasters and extreme weather. Our aim was to establish an islandable solar microgrid <\/em>with battery storage that could provide power for the village when the grid went down.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wellbeing and benefit of our community have always been at the centre of our efforts, and remain our priorities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solar and other forms of renewable energy are becoming an important part of Australia’s energy production as coal-fired power plants are shut down after reaching the end of their operational life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the last week of January, solar met the majority of Australia’s electricity demand between 9 am and 6 pm. CaDET remains committed to increasing the use of solar energy in our region and the wider Bega Valley, including for households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Residents can make their views known to EDP Renewables on: 1300 551 715 or through Bega Valley Shire Council\u2019s DA portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More information about CaDET can be found on this website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our vision of a community energy
future for Cobargo<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

What would be possible if we all came together to design a renewable energy future for Cobargo and the surrounding region? The 2019-2020 bushfires once again revealed the vulnerability of our national energy grid. The destruction of poles and wires in these fires led to prolonged grid failure, which caused further disruption to our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are a community group working to improve energy security and energy efficiency in the Cobargo region and to assist the transition to clean, local electricity generation. Our first major goal is to develop a plan for a community microgrid in Cobargo, which will provide more resilient power for the town and surrounding areas in the event of a significant grid outage and help reduce emissions at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have completed work with four other Cobargo community groups to install solar systems and batteries in community buildings to create ‘cool refuges’ that can be used during heatwaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cobargo: a rural village energy story<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Renewable Cobargo worked together with members of our community to improve Cobargo and District’s energy resilience and prepare for the next time the electricity grid goes down. A visual story with video interviews with Cobargo residents and Renewable Cobargo members, reflecting on the bushfires, the aftermath and their determination to improve Cobargo’s energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our Vision<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Why a Cobargo Microgrid?<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
FAQ<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Why Electrify?<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Resources<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Acknowledgement of Country<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Cobargo and District Energy Transition team acknowledges the Djiringanj people of the Yuin Nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which this project is situated. We acknowledge that the Djiringanj people have been caring for this country for tens of thousands of years and respect their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Who we are<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Renewable Cobargo is an initiative of the Cobargo and District Energy Transition (CaDET)<\/a>, a coalition of residents, business owners, farmers and other interested parties working to improve energy resilience in the region and accelerate the transition to 100% clean, renewable energy. We are all volunteers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using funding from the Federal Government’s Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Fund we are working with ITP<\/a>, a renewable energy consultancy with expertise in the microgrid sector who have designed, managed, installed or commissioned microgrids across the Pacific and in Australia over the past 13 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CaDET is working alongside other community energy groups across Australia to ensure that rural and regional communities have a voice in the energy transition responding to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See our About Us<\/a> page to learn more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Latest News<\/h3>\n\n\n