Budget overlooks Local Energy Hubs funding

A LACK of funding for Local Energy Hubs in the 2025-26 Federal Budget has been described as a missed opportunity by renewable energy advocates. The hubs would be physical centres with a strong outreach program staffed by independent local experts to provide accurate information about what’s happening in renewable energy regions. Renewable Energy Alliance (RE-Alliance) and Community Power Agency are two organisations working for more than a decade in renewable energy regions. They, alongside partner Yes2Renewables, have been calling for improved community engagement and access to reliable information in regional communities about Australia’s shift to renewables, through Local Energy Hubs. National director of RE-Alliance, Andrew Bray, said productive discussions had been taking place with the government for more than 12 months about the Local Energy Hubs proposal, and now regional communities want the government to deliver. “This was a missed opportunity for the government to show it is listening to the concerns of regional communities," Mr Bray said. "We will now be looking closely for serious funding commitments during the upcoming federal election campaign. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure the shift to renewables delivers genuine, local, long-term benefits for our regions. “But trust in the regions is being tested. It’s hard to access information about Australia’s energy shift, and how families, small businesses and farmers can make the most of it. “Local Energy Hubs are a crucial part of the puzzle to place regional leadership at the centre and rebuild trust in the shift to renewable energy.” Community Power Agency director, Jarra Hicks, said Local Energy Hubs are the key to the government reaching its renewable energy targets. “The government is rightly focused on progressing Australia’s shift to renewables to lower household energy bills and carbon pollution as quickly as possible,” Dr Hicks said. “But our renewable energy targets are at serious risk if governments continue to sideline the needs of regional and rural communities in the process. "Fairness isn’t a barrier to speed, it’s what makes speed possible. "When people have access to trusted, independent information, they can make informed decisions about their energy future, helping to drive the shift to renewable energy. “Let’s get Local Energy Hubs funded and rolled out where they’re needed most, so we can ensure communities benefit from the raft of opportunities that renewables can bring when done right." More information on the Local Energy Hubs model can be found at localenergyhubs.org.au.

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