Fuel Solutions
Taking control of fuel supplies
Each community’s needs are different, so each energy project will be different too. Community Energy Australia simply helps a community find the best way to achieve what they need. The North Central Victorian Community Fuel Project illustrates the way it works.
The project was prompted by farmers who wanted to establish a bio-diesel plant in the region. This would allow them to grow and process oil seed locally, giving them greater control over their fuel supplies. Regionally based transport companies and councils were also interested.
The community approached Bendigo and Adelaide Bank to see whether it could help. Community Energy Australia applied the Community Bank® development process and started the community collecting pledges, while setting up a pilot project to test the demand.
Locals went off and found customers who were willing to test out a new arrangement. And the bank found a fuel supplier and a truck and literally went out delivering fuel. That service is dedicated to the project’s customers so they now have a more secure fuel supply.
The project evolved into a staged process. The community has taken control of the distribution of liquid fuels for farmers and commercial users, while it builds its own storage facility. From there it will work up to a full, locally-owned bio-diesel plant in stages. Meanwhile, the bank provides credit facilities and negotiates with suppliers on behalf of the community project.
The community has already become more fuel self-reliant and the project also generates income that is being reinvested into local development.
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