Two federal Hunter MPs have expressed their support for the creation of local energy hubs in the region.
The hubs would essentially be outreach centres that would provide access to facts and expert advice on subjects such as renewable energy developments, transmission projects, home electrification and battery storage and electric vehicles.
RE-Alliance, Community Power Agency and Yes2Renewables are calling on the government to fund the hubs as part of the upcoming mid-year economic and fiscal outlook.
Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon said the proposed hubs would complement other clean energy initiatives in the region.
"Local communities at the forefront of energy transition like Newcastle and the Hunter, stand to benefit from community driven initiatives like the proposed localised renewable energy hubs," she said.
"Such a model could serve as an important access and coordination point for trusted and verified information on proposed renewable energy projects and ongoing developments, as well as to providing information on existing government energy programs and subsidy opportunities for households and community groups alike."
Hunter MP Dan Repacholi said he was impressed by a recent RE-Alliance presentation on the hubs.
"With the world undergoing a switch to more renewable and dispatchable energy, it's important to have somewhere that people in the regions can get accurate and unbiased information and support as we shift energy sources," he said.
"We have seen how quickly misinformation gets out into the community and a local energy hub would help ensure communities have the facts about local projects."
Ms Claydon and Mr Repacholi are among more than 40 state and federal MPs who have expressed support for the hubs.
"It's really exciting to see the level of traction that the concept of Local Energy Hubs is generating," RE-Alliance national director Andrew Bray said.
"When we speak to communities about the idea of filling a local shopfront with trusted local experts to demystify the shift to renewables - the immediate response is that it's a no brainer."
A spokeswoman for Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen previously told the Newcastle Herald that the government acknowledged communities were looking for better access to factual, balanced, transparent information about the energy transformation.
She said federal, state and territory energy ministers recently released their response to the community engagement review, noting their agreement in full to the recommendation to provide more and better information to local communities.
"We are currently working with various stakeholders on how best to implement the recommendations, noting local energy hubs have been raised as a possible option," she said.
For more information on Local Energy Hubs go to: localenergyhubs.org.au
