Session held on 21st September 2022

The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) is the peak body for Local Government in Western Australia.  Through its Member Services the organisations annually delivers $380 million of goods, services and works to its Member Local Governments under a dynamic procurement program.  The program has been supplying contestable energy and sustainable energy infrastructure over the past decade.

Communities expect all levels of Government to play their part in reducing emissions.  Local Governments across Australia are committed to supporting State and Federal Government targets and aspirations on climate action to move towards a more sustainable future.  However for some years, and never more than the present, Energy Procurement Managers have been challenged to both contain costs and deliver renewable energy at the same time.  Can both be achieved?

Currently, renewable generation in WA makes up approximately one third of capacity in the WEM (Western Australian Energy Market).  However, renewable energy generation is projected to rise to almost 80 per cent within 20 years, possibly sooner.

WALGA is pleased to present a case study of its Energy Procurement Project, which has aggregated purchasing of Energy across 50 participating Local Governments.  The project will see participants purchasing 100% renewable power, and reduce CO2 emissions from those Local Government facilities by an estimated 150,000 tonnes over the next three years.  The project assists the growing number of Local Governments in Western Australia who have made Climate Change Declarations, and supports the implantation of net zero emission targets.

This presentation will share the methodology applied to develop the project, provide an insight into the relational and market inhibitors, and some learnings from the procurement model applied.

The session will also facilitate a broader discussion about the merits and contemporary challenges of procurement aggregation, the evolution of Australia’s renewable energy market, and future approaches towards buying Energy.

Your expert facilitator

Andrew Blitz is Commercial Development Manager at the WA Local Government Association (WALGA).  In this specialist procurement role Andrew develops contracts for the supply of goods and services, and new project based sourcing for the Local Government sector.

Andrew maintains professional memberships as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (FCIPS), the Local Government Professionals (MLGPA). He has completed the Institute of Arbitrators & Mediators Australia (MIAMA) Probity Advisors course and the Australian Institute of Company Directors course. Through these affiliations Andrew has been instrumental in building procurement competencies within industry and promoting the benefits of professional procurement career development. Andrew is a former Regional Chair of CIPSA, and has been integrally involved in the design, accreditation and delivery of nationally recognised procurement training qualifications.  An enthusiastic presenter and facilitator, Andrew has been able to challenge the business and governance processes of many Local Government and supplier organisations, adding value and strategic insight to the procurement function.