Village Power President’s AGM report for 2025
2025 was another challenging year for Village Power but finally we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not an oncoming train! We now have in place all the components to have the battery installed and operational by mid 2026. This is very exciting as we can now focus on promoting our Local Renewable Energy (LRE) program to move the community towards utilising 100% carbon-free energy.
The year did not start well when our selected commercial partner pulled away from working with VIllage Power to chase larger opportunities. Our team quickly re-grouped and ran another Expression of Interest for potential new partners and then a Request For Tender process to select a new commercial partner. Importantly, this required support from our key funder, the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and the City of Darebin (Council) for a site lease. We are grateful for their ongoing support.
By the middle of the year, we were able to sign a commercial agreement with a leading renewable energy solution provider, Acacia Energy that is based in Melbourne. Furthermore, we agreed and signed off a variation of the funding agreement with DEECA. In addition, Council were also able to confirm their support after Councillors voted unanimously for a revised resolution to offer a site lease.
Acacia Energy will own and operate the battery. They will coordinate the procurement and installation of the battery on the Alphington site. Significantly, Acacia Energy will use the battery to generate revenue that will be returned to Village Power to fund our operations and the LRE program.
Acacia Energy will establish an innovative commercial model for the battery in which they will sell the energy under contract to an energy retailer at a fixed price. The model is called a Peak Swap electricity derivatives model. In the future, large scale adoption of fixed price energy could bring down energy costs to consumers.
The second half of year, then secured the major building blocks for 2026:
● Signed lease agreement between Council and Village Power for a site next to the entrance to the Alphington Farmers’ Market on Wingrove Street.
● In principal agreement with Jemena for the connection between the battery and network.
● An order placed for the battery by Acacia Energy. Actually it will be an array of three batteries.
● Commencement of design of the site for the batteries to be installed.
● Documentation of Village Power’s Local Renewable Energy program accepted by DEECA.
In addition, we were successful in an application for funding from the Bendigo Community Bank, Ivanhoe East Branch. The $15,000 will be used to select and pay an artist for artwork to cover the battery when it is installed.
With these components in place, we are confident that the battery will be installed and operational by, and hopefully before, the middle of 2026.
The immediate focus for the first quarter of the new year will be to inform people in understanding more about Local Renewable Energy, how to maximise using it and encourage them to participate in our 100% LRE program. Stay tuned for more details including how you can be rewarded for your involvement!
● I would like to particularly thank the VP Delivery Team that are the engine for the many things we need to do, from delivery of regular newsletters, regular meetings and reports to our stakeholders, generation of ideas and the production of reports.
● Our group of experts that freely provide their time to validate ideas, solve problems and guide our direction. The group is the Project Advisory Group, formerly known as the Technical Advisory Group.
● Wave Consulting continues to provide insightful advice and vital project management services.
● To all the VP board members for their contributions. I would especially like to thank David Craven for acting as the President while I took extended holidays this year.
We have a very exciting year before us and invite you to be a part of the action. We are looking for people to join the Community Advisory Panel that will be reinstated early in the year. We are also seeking people with skills in Graphic Design and Social Media to join the Delivery team and make their mark on our promotional activities.
Finally, look out for more information on our 100% LRE program and how you can get on-board.
Graeme Martin, President