Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) 

In May 2021, the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) was launched. The project is Australia's largest ever local government emissions reduction project and will see 46 councils pool their electricity needs into one big renewable energy contract (called a Power Purchase Agreement or PPA).  The long-term contract will power streetlights, libraries, recreational spaces, infrastructure and public buildings with 100% renewable energy. Not only will councils be saving money to spend elsewhere, but the energy used will be produced by wind farms right here in Victoria.

​The project is the culmination of many years of behind the scenes work between the partner councils, the City of Darebin (the lead council) and the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances. 

12 of the 13 CVGA councils have joined VECO, ensuring that from as early as July 2021 their electricity usage will now be sourced from 100% renewable energy. 

Social Energy Procurement project 
In January 2018, CVGA received funding from Local Government Victoria to undertake a project examining the ways councils purchase and invest in electricity. This project was initiated and managed by the CVGA, with Swan Hill as lead council, 10 partner councils and 5 greenhouse alliances. The project examined 3 different components: 1) analysis of risks and opportunities of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), 2) models for community and council partnerships with a focus on councils contracting power from local energy projects, and 3) business models for co-investment in renewable energy infrastructure. Find out more here.