Renewable energy (wind + solar) has been taking off in #Australia for sometime. Now ~25% of Australians own rooftop solar. Yet, larger projects are left to private corporations (both domestic + foreign). Its time to empower local communities with #cooperative ownership! (1/5)

A renewable energy cooperative (also known as RE co-op or REC) is a decentralized NGO initiative of local communities/citizens to promote the production + consumption of renewable energy (eg: http://rescoop.eu  has 1,500 projects + 1 million members)

RECs principles include;

- Voluntary and Open Membership
- Democratic Member Control
- Economic Participation through Direct Ownership
- Autonomy and Independence
- Long-term goals
- Education, Training and Information
- Cooperation among Cooperatives
- Concern for Community

Australian Example

- Hepburn Wind is the owner-operator of Australia’s first community-owned wind farm, at Leonards Hill, ~100km NW of Melbourne. The 4.1 MW wind farm hosts two turbines called Gale and Gusto, who produce clean energy for over 2000 homes https://www.hepburnwind.com.au/ 

Are you aware of any other Australian renewable energy coops? Moreover, is anyone interested in starting one? /End

#auspol