Newstead Community Energy Project
Project overview
The central Victorian community of Newstead is home to a cutting-edge clean energy project, thanks to a partnership between one of Australia’s fastest-growing energy retailers, Flow Power and community energy group, Renewable Newstead.
About the project
The Newstead Community Energy Project consists of a 3 MW solar farm and a 5 MWh battery energy storage system, featuring a unique and Victorian-first Direct Current (DC) coupled system.
The Newstead Community Energy Project was delivered in full (financed, developed, built, and connected) by Flow Power, who will own and operate the farm and retail the electricity it generates. Flow Power employed local contractors creating jobs and additional community benefits through a community fund.
The battery system will provide additional benefits with the ability to feed into the grid at times of low sunshine and outside daylight hours. The 6.2 hectare site will include 80-100m rows of panels, 6m apart and include a tracking system to follow the sun and provide maximum energy production.
The Newstead Community Energy Project is Flow Power’s 7th clean energy project since 2021, taking our renewable portfolio to over 400 MW. Building on our goal of creating Australia’s renewable energy future, together with people and communities such as Newstead.
An energy engaged community
Renewable Newstead committee members had long championed the idea of reducing their community’s carbon footprint with local and grid connected clean energy projects. With a 2838 MWh annual electricity demand and 49% of households using rooftop solar made it crucial for the community to drive towards locally sourced renewable generation.
Renewable Newstead was able to successfully identify a site for the clean energy project, completing a feasibility study and securing a $1.1 million grant from the Victorian State Government.
“We’re proud to create an energy solution together with Renewable Newstead, that not only delivers a local clean energy generator, but incorporates solar, battery, energy hardware and community engagement.
This combination is the holy grail of the ideal energy system and is the missing link in what is needed to transition this industry to a 100% renewable energy market.”
Matthew van der Linden, Flow Power Chief Executive Officer
“The Renewable Newstead long-held dream is getting closer. The first idea for a local energy project in Newstead emerged in 2009.
Local volunteers have helped bring this to fruition, and we’ve had a big hand with the help of a $1.1M grant from the Victorian Government in 2018.
Now we’re pleased to see Flow Power take on the project to bring our dream to life – locally generated clean energy and a retail offer for our residents to champion renewable energy.”
Geoff Park, Renewable Newstead Convenor
Community benefits
To maintain the connection with the community, Flow Power will facilitate residents to link with the project through an exclusive retail energy plan where customers’ electricity usage will be linked to the Newstead Community Energy Project through GreenPower. This means, for every unit of electricity used on this plan, Newstead Community Energy Project will send clean energy into Australia’s grid on behalf of that home.
Flow Power’s offer will reward price efficient energy usage, include smart energy tech for live data access and support Flow Power’s vision to transition Australia’s energy mix to renewable fuel sources.
How does the Newstead Energy Project work?
Timeline
Stay tuned to see the project’s development.
If you’d like to know more about the Newstead Energy Project, get in touch with Flow Power today:
1800 377 639
ProjectsTeam@NewsteadEnergyProject.com.au
If you’re an existing Flow Power customer, please reach out to your dedicated account manager.
Complaints
Complaints can be made by the following methods:
- Email: ProjectsTeam@NewsteadEnergyProject.com.au
- Toll-free phone number: 1800 377 639
- Mail: PO Box 6074 Hawthorn, VIC 3122
Once a complaint is received Flow Power will acknowledge receipt of complaint within 2 working days and will work to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
A copy of the project’s Complaint Investigation and Response Plan is provided here.
When submitting a complaint, please provide the following details:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Address
- Details of complaint
- The time and date of the incident, and the prevailing weather and operational conditions at the time of the incident (if applicable)
- The outcome sought
- Preferred method of communication
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