We care about achieving a faster and fairer transition to clean energy that benefits all Australians. We work collaboratively with communities, governments, NGOs and corporates to drive this change.
WHAT WE DO & WHY
We believe that local, people-powered clean energy projects will bring social, environmental and economic benefits to communities across Australia.
We believe that involving communities in all scales of renewable energy development will make our electricity system better and enable us to act on climate in the timeframes required.
We believe by collaborating we can remove systemic barriers to community energy and clean energy access.
Our approach
Capacity Building
Supporting and building the capacity of community projects through workshops, training, mentoring, research and resource development.
Innovation
Developing and enabling innovative social-impact business models and practices.
Advocacy
Engaging in sector level advocacy, collaboration and policy development.
HISTORY & IMPACT
The Community Power Agency was founded when two people, Nicky Ison and Jarra Hicks, decided to take positive action toward a clean energy future.
After years of passionate and dedicated campaigning against a broken and polluting energy system, Jarra and Nicky turned their efforts towards finding a solution to the energy crisis and building a fairer and cleaner system for all.
In 2010, they visited community energy projects of all shapes and sizes in the UK, Europe, North America and India and were inspired by the great things that local communities had achieved. This energised them to help make community energy a reality in Australia.
In 2011 the Community Power Agency was formed. In 2015 it was incorporated as a not-for-profit workers’ cooperative and has grown to a small but high-impact team.
Now with over 2,000 supporters, the story of our success grows with us…
Acknowledgment of country
Community Power Agency acknowledges the First Nations people of Australia. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work and pay our respects to ancestors and elders, past, present and emerging. Community Power Agency accepts the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and supports a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Australian Constitution. We contribute 1% of our annual turnover to “Paying The Rent”. This is distributed annually to various First Nations led initiatives outside our organisation that empower indigenous people of Australia.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Since 2011, we have supported more than 50 community energy groups to take the power back and develop and deliver their own clean energy projects
- We advocated for Regional Community Energy and saw $30 million dedicated to innovative renewable energy projects that benefit NSW communities
- We collaborated with the Clean Energy Council and the wind power industry to consolidate learnings on how to build a strong social license for wind power
- In 2017 and 2014, we lead the Community Energy Congress, bringing together more than 600 people from across the community energy sector to collaborate, engage and share their experiences and skills
- We worked with the Victorian Government to guide how renewable energy developments engage with and benefit their local communities
- We authored the Homegrown Power Plan, a joint project between GetUp! and Solar Citizens, showing how we can repower the country with renewable energy
- We participated in the ACT Government’s Renewable Energy Auction, to ensure communities got a good deal from supported projects
- We authored the first How-To-Guide to Community Renewable Energy, providing communities with the essential decision-making tools to get their projects off the ground
GOVERNANCE
The Community Power Agency is a non-distributing cooperative registered in NSW with the Department of Fair Trading. We are also a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission.
Our members are our staff and volunteers. Our board is made up of members, is elected by members and is working for members. We are dedicated to an equal-pay culture which fosters equality and fairness, recognising that all members contribute valuable skills and perspectives.
Annual Report 2017/2018
Annual Report 2016/2017
Annual Report 2015/2016
PARTNERS
At the Community Power Agency, collaboration is integral to our work. By forming partnerships and working together with groups that share a common vision, we are able to strengthen our power to create change.
MEMBERSHIPS
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