BRAIDWOOD CLEAN ENERGY

Working on getting Braidwood's own community-based low cost, zero emission, electricity supply.

We acknowledge that Braidwood is on the land of Dhurga-speakers of the Yuin People, land that has never been ceded. We honour their Elders past and present.

welcome to BCE

Braidwood Clean Energy (BCE) is an incorporated not-for-profit association run by volunteers from the Braidwood district. Since its formation in 2019, BCE’s broad purpose and approach has been to promote clean energy, energy efficiency and community engagement.

BCE initiated the process to find a renewable energy solution for our region. This initiative ultimately led to a proposal for a solar farm combined with battery storage - first by IDP and then by its successor EDPR.

Based on their feasibility studies, EDPR determined the right size and location for this project. Extending this development and based on community feedback the idea of the Braidwood Microgrid Project was born.

This ‘islandable’ Microgrid is planned to maintain energy supply in case the connection to the National Grid is disrupted. EDPR together with BCE were successful in applying for funding through the Australian Renewables Energy Agency (ARENA) to add this capability to the proposed solar farm.

While EDPR is the owner of this project, BCE continues to act as a conduit between the community and EDPR.

With this small town sized solar array and battery storage, the Braidwood district can achieve over 75% renewable energy generated locally, well above the national average.

The beautiful logo is by local artist Freya Job

Latest news

General Meeting and AGM - 8 October 2026
BCE is reinstating its regular meetings to discuss recent policy developments in the Clean Energy and practical issues in adopting Clean Energy technology. Our meeting on 8 October will have staff from QPRC talking about ‘QPRC’s Sustainable Energy Actions’. There will also be reports on the status of the Braidwood Microgrid, other renewable energy projects in the region and recent renewable energy policy developments.

The arrangements are:
When: Thursday 8 October at 6pm
Where: Braidwood Servicemens Club

Before the General Meeting there will be a short AGM starting at 5.30 pm. All positions will be declared open with a Committee Nomination Form here.

As we are in a new financial year, membership is due for renewal. Please make a $10 deposit to the following account with the reference ‘Your name – membership’: Account Name: Braidwood Clean Energy Inc; BSB: 633 000; Account No: 168 109 650.

Development Application for Solar Farm and Battery Refused
The Regional Planning Panel made its determination on PPSSTH-587 / DA.2026.0113 for the Construction of a solar farm, battery energy storage systems, landscaping and associated site works at 873 Wallaces Gap Road Ballalaba 2622 on 10 September 2026. The Panel unanimously refused the development application. The Determination is given here.

EDP Australia is reviewing the Panel’s decision and the reasons for refusal. No decision has been made at this stage on a review or appeal.

Microgrid aspect of the project funded
On 20 May 2026, The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy and The Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Emergency Management jointly announced that the Government will be backing a $3 million investment in the microgrid through the Australian Renewable ENergy Agency (ARENA) Regional Microgrids Program. Their media release is given here, with EDP Renewables' media release here and ARENA's project page here.

This is an important milestone in this project and means that the 'Islandable' Braidwood Microgrid will be a trail blazer and a first for Australia, capable of operating both on the National Electricity Grid and as a stand-alone microgrid, should the National Grid not be available for whatever reason. Not only will it make our district's electricity supply more reliable and resilient, but it will also provide a blueprint for other regional communities who are also at risk of becoming disconnected from the National Grid, such as through transmission lines being damaged by fire, winds or other reasons.

The Project
Braidwood and its surrounds are connected to the electricity grid via a high voltage line from Captains Flat. This line runs overland and if it gets broken, our community ceases to have power until it is repaired. This line was nearly broken in 2023 when a cement truck ran into one of the poles between Braidwood and Captains flat but could also be severed due to hazardous weather or bushfires. The town of Cobargo knows this all too well, as the 2019-2020 bushfires destroyed the poles and wires and left them without power.

Braidwood Clean Energy Inc. is working with EDP Renewables Australia (EDPR), a developer of town scale solar farms, about making our community more resilient and less vulnerable to grid outages. Since the fires, EDP Renewables has been helping Braidwood to be more resilient by building a ‘microgrid’ which will mean that if they are disconnected from the grid, they can operate independently.

This microgrid will consist of a 5MW solar farm and a community scale battery (5MW/10MWh) to provide the town with uninterrupted electricity in the event of future grid outages.

Public Meetings
BCE and EDPR held two Public meetings on 19 March 2026 to explain the current status of the project with over 50 people attending the two sessions.

The presentation given by EPPR can be found here.