Power to the people

Two state-owned energy businesses have teamed up with Men’s Sheds across Tasmania to bring power to the people.

Aurora Energy and TasNetworks are working collaboratively alongside the Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association (TMSA) with the aim at increasing energy literacy within the community.

The co-designed initiative, known as the Power People Project, empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to understand their energy usage, manage costs effectively, and make informed decisions in the ever-evolving energy landscape.

It involves training individuals known as ‘Power People’ within the Men's Sheds, who in turn share valuable information and insights about the energy sector with their local communities.

A pilot program run with six member sheds (Channel, Dover, Howrah, Kings Meadows, Rosebery and Waratah) this year was integral to the design of the project, with plans to roll the program out to the entire network of more than 70 sheds.

Secretary Bruce Weller said the TMSA welcomed the opportunity to work with Aurora and TasNetworks.

“It’s exciting for our members to be trained and educated on the latest and most efficient methods in reducing power usage,” Mr Weller said.

“This in turn will result in cost savings to both men’s sheds and their members, but also their families and friends.”

Aurora Energy CEO Nigel Clark said the grassroots project was more than a traditional outreach effort, it was about fostering a community-driven approach to energy education.

“We are really pleased to be working in collaboration with TasNetworks and Men’s Sheds to increase energy literacy in the Tasmanian community,” Mr Clark said.

“It’s a perfect alignment with our purpose to help make energy easy for Tasmanians and to help people take better control of their energy usage.”

TasNetworks CEO Seán Mc Goldrick said the Power People project is a clear opportunity to deliver on their purpose of powering a bright future for Tasmanians.

“A shared priority for us as an industry is ensuring our customers have access to essential information and knowledge to make informed decisions about the best way to power their homes and businesses,” Mr Mc Goldrick said.

“The Power People project is providing an invaluable platform for community members to receive this essential information, from people they trust in places they’re familiar with.

“We thank the pilot Men’s Sheds for their ongoing commitment and dedication to supporting their communities.”

To find out more on the Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association, visit https://www.tasmanianmensshed.org.au/