President’s Report - June 2025

Our shift away from implementation of the battery-as-a-service subscription service to the 100% Local Renewable Energy (LRE) program is being considered by Government officers administering the Neighbourhood Battery Initiative funding program. At this stage, I cannot tell you or indicate the likely decision on whether Village Power will continue to receive funding for our project. I can tell you that it is down to the wire.  

As previously explained, we could not proceed with the subscription model without a commercial energy retailer willing to back it. However, we believe that local renewable energy, where communities generate, store, and use their own clean power—is a model for our future energy network. It makes our communities more resilient, reduces reliance on distant fossil fuel sources, and lowers costs for households.

I would like to thank the members that came out on a wintery night to the face-to-face meeting the other week. In the meeting we provided an update on the various activities taking place. 

I am about to embark on an extended adventure and will be absent from Village Power for several months. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of our delivery team who continue to stay positive and resilient and contribute their time to keep us moving forward. This is especially appreciated as the last 5 months have been very challenging. 

Whatever the decision made by the Government on our project funding, I would like to highlight that we have been undertaking important work, challenging the institutions and understandings of the energy system. We are part of the renewable energy revolution that is critical to taking meaningful action on climate change. 

Graeme Martin