Goulburn’s Community Solar Farm: A Journey to Completion
Last Saturday marked the official launch of Australia’s inaugural community-owned solar farm equipped with a battery system, as reported by Sophie Vorrath earlier this week.
Although modest in size, boasting 1.4 megawatts of solar power and a 4.4 megawatt hour battery, the importance of this project lies in the community effort that brought it to fruition, making it a heartening tale in today’s climate.
The Journey Begins
The origins of the Goulburn community-owned solar farm can be traced back over a decade. A significant hurdle arose when the city’s then representatives, including Angus Taylor, the current federal Liberal leader, and state MP Pru Goward, consistently opposed large-scale renewable projects in the area.
However, it was actions taken by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott that truly galvanised the local populace. Mhairi Fraser, a member of the Goulburn solar farm co-operative, reflected in an interview with Renew Economy’s Energy Insiders podcast that Abbott’s criticisms of climate scientists and advocacy for dismantling climate-focused government initiatives incited many in Goulburn to take a stand.
Taking Action
“His attacks enraged a lot of us,” Fraser shared. “As parents and grandparents, we felt deeply concerned about the future of coming generations if we continued to rely on fossil fuels.” This sense of urgency led a group from Goulburn to attend the first Australian community energy congress, where the idea of initiating a solar farm was born. “We thought, why don’t we build a solar farm? Can’t be that hard,” Fraser explained.
In 2014, they began discussions with a local construction firm, secured land near the railway station, and obtained a feasibility grant from the state government—initial steps that seemed relatively straightforward.
Securing Funding and Facing Challenges
By 2016, the community group, now with former Liberal leader John Hewson involved, presented their feasibility study to about 250 local residents, demonstrating the project’s viability. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that they secured a significant $2.1 million grant from the state government, which mandated the inclusion of a battery that the community had to co-fund.
They swiftly formed a co-op and managed to raise $2.4 million from 288 local investors within six weeks. But then, the pandemic struck. Escalating costs, contractor shortages, and other hurdles emerged, including the unexpected taxation of the NSW grant by the federal government and the sluggish process of securing grid connections.
Overcoming Obstacles
Located on a former fuel depot site next to the Mulwaree River, extensive work was necessary to prevent any runoff into the waterway. “Each step was laborious and costly,” Fraser noted. “Sydney Water insisted on grass coverage, but we were battling weeds and drought conditions.” They had to wait for grass to grow before any progress could continue, which proved a frustrating time.
Ultimately, construction of the solar farm and its battery commenced in 2025. As time passed, the cost of solar panels dropped and efficiency improved, allowing the team to install a larger battery with an additional matched grant, which they managed to secure quickly.
A Community’s Triumph
With construction underway, the project reached its culmination. “Once we started building, things progressed rapidly,” Fraser remarked. Andrew Bray, chair of the Goulburn Community Energy Co-operative, highlighted the co-op’s structure, where each shareholder has one vote, ensuring democratic governance and shielding against takeovers.
“We are grateful for the unwavering support of our 288 community investors, who have remained with us through the inevitable challenges,” Bray stated at the inaugural event. “We are thrilled to begin generating returns from our clean energy and honour our investors’ trust.”
Engaging the Community
Fraser emphasised that maintaining community engagement was crucial throughout this lengthy journey. The co-op has participated in local wetland initiatives, solar and battery bulk buy programmes, and various community events to foster interest and enthusiasm.
“We had to keep the community engaged,” she remarked. “It’s a long time for people to stay invested.” Fraser also pointed out that strong motivation and “fire in the belly” were essential elements, ignited by events like those instigated by Abbott, alongside the importance of building social capital.
“It’s evident that social capital is vital as communities face ongoing challenges,” Fraser concluded. “As the world grapples with significant issues, it’s time to roll up our sleeves, find our community, and take action.”
For a deeper insight, you can listen to Mhairi Fraser’s full interview in the latest episode of the Energy Insiders podcast.
