Enova Community Energy is celebrating three years in operation as Australia’s first community-owned electricity company on Friday, 31 May and continues to make history with ground-breaking initiatives.
CEO Felicity Stening thanked Byron Bay and other Northern Rivers residents who pushed for a local energy company that is a social enterprise – acting on climate change while giving back to local communities.
“It was the enthusiasm, the vision and support of the people of the Northern Rivers that led to the creation of Enova,” Ms Stening said. “What we’re doing has never been done before.”
“We have actually pioneered a new way of doing energy, right here in the Northern Rivers: energy that is local and renewable, that keeps money and jobs in the region and returns profits to the community in a beneficial cycle.
“It’s a wonderful example of the power that even small communities have, to make real change.”
Unlike many other energy retailers, Enova sources most of its power from renewable local sources such as rooftop solar. As well as championing renewables, Enova is inspiring and helping communities to become energy self-sufficient (through projects such as microgrids), which in turn helps keep millions of dollars in local economies.
Enova will also return 50% of its profits (after tax and reinvestment) to community projects that help all residents, regardless of income, to get affordable renewable energy, along with education on energy efficiency to save money.
Some of the projects it has completed include facilitating solar panels for low income homes in conjunction with North Coast Community Housing, along with home energy audits to help people reduce their energy consumption.
Headquartered in Byron Bay, Enova switched on its first customer on 31 May 2016. Three years on, it continues to strike a chord with a new generation of people keen to help the planet and their community. It now has more than 1600 shareholders, an impressive customer base and has created more than 20 jobs in the Northern Rivers as well as flow-on economic benefits to many local suppliers.
“Building communities and combating climate change at the local level are central goals,
Ms Stening said. “Now more than ever, local communities need to take action themselves. Switching your energy plan to a local ethical provider, Enova, is one way to take practical action for the climate.”
Ms Stening said. “Now more than ever, local communities need to take action themselves. Switching your energy plan to a local ethical provider, Enova, is one way to take practical action for the climate.”
“We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved in the past three years, and I want to thank all the residents and businesses in the Northern Rivers and beyond who have supported our journey.”
“We’re now a serious player in the Australian energy market and continuing to grow.”
Enova sells electricity throughout regional NSW and has plans to expand into Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong and interstate.
To celebrate its birthday, residents or businesses that switch to Enova between 31 May and 7 June can receive a $50 credit off their first electricity bill by simply quoting the code “Happy Birthday Enova” when you call us or sign up online.
The first 12 customers to switch will receive a free double pass to a screening of the inspiring new film 2040, which explores what the future could look like if we embraced the best solutions already available to us and shifted them rapidly into the mainstream. So if you’d like to re-think your electricity provider call 02 5622 1700 or go to www.enovaenergy.com.au
