For many councils, the mandate to cut emissions and build energy resilience is clear – but the path to get there can be anything but.
Rising energy costs, ageing infrastructure, and capital constraints can present a challenge to even the most forward-thinking local governments.
So how do you scale renewable energy solutions when budgets are stretched, staff are at capacity, and community expectations keep rising?
A growing number of councils are turning to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) – a commercial model that makes it possible to deploy solar projects quickly at scale.
Why more councils are turning to PPAs?
Under performance-based PPAs, councils can access solar systems with no upfront capital investment. Instead, energy partners like Origin fund, install, operate and maintain the solar infrastructure, and councils simply purchase the electricity it produces.
This structure enables councils to adopt renewable energy with minimal risk or operational burden, and without any ongoing maintenance costs.
The cost of the energy delivered under a PPA is generally lower than the cost of grid electricity – providing both immediate savings and long-term energy price certainty.
For councils under pressure to decarbonise while maintaining financial discipline, PPAs provide a compelling pathway to accelerate renewables.
Real world impact
Local governments have a unique opportunity when it comes to scaling renewable energy adoption.
In Queensland, Logan City Council is working with Origin to deploy solar and explore battery-backed systems across community facilities as part of its broader sustainability strategy.
“Logan is a city of opportunity – we’re young, we’re growing fast, and we have so much potential. On any given month we have two or three suburbs that are in the top five fastest growing suburbs in the country,” Logan City Council Mayor, Jon Raven, said.
“With so many people moving here, that means more demand on the energy grid. Origin is helping us assess a range of solutions for helping us lower our energy costs, reduce our carbon footprint, and improve our community’s energy resilience – including Origin’s PPA model,” said Mayor Raven.
More than just hardware – it’s partnership
The success of these projects doesn’t hinge solely on panels or contracts. It’s about working with energy providers who can offer deep technical expertise and provide tailored solutions with a clear return on investment.
“We work with councils to take a whole-of-site approach — modelling usage, designing tailored solutions, and structuring PPAs to deliver value from day one,” said Liam McWhirter, General Manager of Enterprise and Strategic Partners at Origin.
“Our goal is to help local governments move fast with confidence and unlock value in the transition.”
Beyond solar, more councils are also exploring the strategic role that battery storage can play. While not currently included under PPA arrangements, batteries are increasingly adding value as part of broader integrated energy and decarbonisation strategies.
In Melbourne, Origin is partnering with City of Melbourne to accelerate the city’s transition to renewable energy – installing three battery energy storage systems as part of the Power Melbourne project.
“More councils are realising that batteries aren’t just for backup – they’re a strategic asset,” McWhirter said.
“They allow you to take control of your energy use and open up new income opportunities through services like frequency control or participation in a VPP.”
Resilience, savings, and local impact
Whether it’s powering community hubs, keeping services running during blackouts, or reducing exposure to volatile energy markets, solar (and increasingly battery storage) is fast becoming essential infrastructure. Councils that embrace solar and battery storage can cut energy costs, reduce operational risk, and contribute to their net zero targets.
With the right partners and commercial models, councils can now deploy these systems faster, smarter, and with less financial risk – setting the standard for what clean, resilient, and community-driven energy looks like.
