The Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA) is providing a mobile power generator for use by Eurobodalla households and businesses, to help with power requirements during bushfire rebuilds, power outages and extreme weather events that would otherwise isolate communities.
SHASA’s acquisition of a community power generator was made possible by a $25,000 Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR) grant, awarded through the Strengthening Rural Communities Program.
The resulting ‘Power on the Move’ initiative will be run with SHASA’s long-term partner, Micro Energy Systems Australia (MESA) of Bodalla.
“The portable community generator can provide free temporary power supply for trades working on bushfire rebuilds within our communities,” SHASA President Kathryn Maxwell said.
“The generator could also be used by households frequently cut off from towns/major hubs by storm events, and to those vulnerable to power outages from the network, whether planned or unplanned.
“These outages are frequent and teamed with extreme weather events, whereby whole communities are often cut off, the mobile generator would provide a very practical and needed way of delivering power.
“The purchase of this mobile generator for use by the community will ensure better preparedness for future emergencies, increasing the resilience of communities in our Shire.” Ms Maxwell said.
“The generator is also available for subsidised hire to community events and festivals with proceeds contributing to the maintenance and upkeep costs. Ms Maxwell said ‘to date the generator has been used by the Narooma Oyster Festival, the Narooma Winter Night Markets and recent Naidoc Celebrations at Mogo.
Stephen Cornthwaite, of MESA, said: “This 22kVa generator is applicable for both single phase and three phase applications.
“It’s set up on a purpose-built easy tow trailer assembly with a user friendly breakout box and safety switch protected outlets. It comes with a portable earth stake or can be easily switched to make use of the installation main earth at the location”.
Micro Energy Systems will service/load test and maintain the generator on a regular basis to ensure its continued reliability.
Bookings can be made by community groups in the Eurobodalla by emailing SHASA at [email protected].
Images: SHASA
