We were proud to open the doors this month, and give Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio a tour of our production line, as we hosted the official launch of the Latrobe Valley Community Power Hub. The Latrobe Valley Community Power Hub – one of three Community Power Hubs in Victoria – is a project that, like ours, aims to assist communities to take charge (and ownership) of their own energy generation and distribution. Earthworker Energy is glad to be part of the Community Power Hub’s first project: the ‘Gippy Bulk Buy‘ of solar PV, batteries and Earthworker Energy ‘Made in Morwell’ solar hot water products. Listen to the feature report from ABC Radio, recorded at the factory.

Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, Mark Richards, Earthworker Secretary Dan Musil and Latrobe City Councillor Dan Clancy

The community bulk buy, which is being supported by Latrobe City, Baw Baw and Wellington Shire Councils, and facilitated by the Yarra Energy Foundation, will help create local clean energy manufacturing jobs while assisting residents and businesses to cut their energy bills and climate pollution. Gippslanders can take part today, or attend a public information session via the website: www.gippybulkbuy.com.au The Earthworker Energy Manufacturing Cooperative aims to create dignified and sustainable livelihoods as part of ‘just transition’ for the Latrobe Valley community as the region’s power industry changes. “We are building examples of more just and sustainable workplaces and economies – solutions that can help us deal with climate change and economic resilience right here in the Valley, and across the country.” said Earthworker Secretary Dan Musil. “The Latrobe Valley has directly experienced the failure of privatisation, with the rapid unplanned closure of Hazelwood Power Station a recent example. Communities around the world are reversing electricity industry privatisation” said Dan Musil. “We are putting power back into the hands of workers and communities, in ways that allow us to fairly address the crisis of climate change and household cost of living”. “The Community Power Hubs program is helping communities use the skills and expertise they already have to develop renewable energy projects.” said Minister Lily D’Ambrosio. Sustainability Victoria CEO Stan Krpan said that access to local renewable energy will increase the resilience of Gippsland and soften the impact of energy price shocks, and reduce the region’s collective carbon footprint. “Hot water heating can account for up to one third of total household energy use. Through this bulk-buy project, local residents can significantly reduce their power bills and support new clean-energy-manufacturing jobs.” Premium quality Earthworker solar hot water products ‘Made in Morwell’ can be pre-ordered today by individuals, or as part of the Community Power Hub ‘Gippy Bulk Buy’ program.