Energy and utilities

Offer greener energy

Energy co-ops are interested in delivering value to customers. This means they invest in products such as renewable energy which may provide less income to the co-op but will deliver better long-term value to the member.

Spread benefits widely

A co-operatively-owned wind farm, for example, allows local community members to have a stake in the business, spreading its benefits widely.

Deliver a social license to operate

Local ownership of energy assets such as wind farms has been shown to mean fewer objections from the local community.

Mutually owned utilities …

• Create collective purchasing power which can lower costs
• Put customers at the centre of the business
• Reinvest locally and benefit rural Australia
• Focus on the long-term

Create collective purchasing power which can lower costs

The collective purchasing power created by individuals coming together through an energy co-operative returns control back to people and can help to drive down costs.

Put customers at the centre of the business

Customers are put at the centre of the business and help make decisions about how energy is provided in their town or locality. For example, groups of individuals can decide to collectively own and control a solar array or wind turbine.

Reinvest locally and benefit rural Australia

Any surplus is made locally and can be retained locally. That surplus can be redirected back to the community that owns it. There is a rational economic reason to join the co-operative and this can help give people a stake in the renewable energy transition.

Focus on the long-term

Like other types of co-operative, energy and utility co-operatives can concentrate on the long-term without the need to focus on short-term results. This is particularly important in a sector such as energy, where a consistent energy supply and a sustainable approach to the provision of electricity are essential.