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CORENA - Citizens' Own Renewable Energy Network Australia

CORENA - Citizens' Own Renewable Energy Network Australia

Citizens' Own Renewable Energy Network Australia -

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About

“The original spark for CORENA came from a light-hearted quip. I was enthusing about the stationary energy plan, published by Beyond Zero Emissions in 2010, to a fairly mainstream relative. When she heard that Australia could transition to 100% renewable energy in 10 years at a cost of just $8/week per household, she said, “Great! Where do I send my $8 per week?“

An idea was born. It occurred to me that possibly hundreds of thousands of householders were thinking the same thing. Why not establish a ‘place’ where all these people could send their contributions (of any amount) to collectively pay for practical renewable energy projects that reduce carbon emissions immediately. So we did.

Since then of course, numerous people have been involved in shaping CORENA. My thanks to them, and to all of you who are turning the original spark into reality.”

– Margaret Hender, Founder

History and aims

The Citizens Own Renewable Energy Network Australia Inc (CORENA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to climate action. Our powerful revolving energy fund enables all Australians to help tackle the climate emergency by donating to tangible projects that reduce carbon emissions. We offer zero interest loans and technical advice to non-profits, community organisations and social enterprises for climate projects such as solar panels, energy efficiency and electric vehicles.

CORENA is a not-for-profit charity registered with the ACNC. CORENA was incorporated on April 22, 2013, under the name Citizens Own Renewable Energy Network Australia Incorporated and has nation-wide membership. Our ABN is 92 929 665 880. Download our Constitution, Revised September 2022.

The CORENA vision is a world in which everyone who wants a safe climate is empowered to help achieve it.

Our goal is to provide a simple mechanism that enables everyone to help collectively achieve prompt and tangible climate outcomes.

Our strategy is to organise practical projects that achieve carbon emission reductions that would otherwise be unlikely to occur, and to invite everyone to chip in to collectively pay for the project costs.

We choose projects that not only reduce carbon emissions cost-effectively but also reduce operating costs. This means that an interest-free loan is sufficient to enable a project to proceed and the resultant savings on operating costs cover the loan repayments back into our revolving fund. In this way donated funds are used over and over again in subsequent projects.

The revolving fund is a key element in our approach. It means that the money donated to projects is never exhausted and continues to achieve climate benefits far into the future.

Stay Up-to-date

Latest News, Media Releases & Articles

Check out what’s new at CORENA and in the world of climate, sustainability and green energy…

Mansfield Autism Statewide Services solar system

5 Things You Didn’t Know About CORENA’s Operations Fund (But Absolutely Should)

At CORENA, we often talk about our revolving energy fund — how every donation keeps giving, how …

Read more5 Things You Didn’t Know About CORENA’s Operations Fund (But Absolutely Should)
CORENA's innovative revolving fund model

Perpetual Motion for Climate Funding

By Margaret Hender, founder of CORENA. Originally published in Clean Technica 2022 When CORENA first …

Read morePerpetual Motion for Climate Funding
Agrivoltaics in Australia

The Rise of Agrivoltaics: Cultivating Energy & Crops Together in Australia

Australia, a land synonymous with both vast agricultural landscapes and abundant sunshine, stands at …

Read moreThe Rise of Agrivoltaics: Cultivating Energy & Crops Together in Australia
Project 60 Youth Options battery

Project Number 60!

We are very excited to announce our 60th project with Youth Options in SA, our first community …

Read moreProject Number 60!

GET OUR newsletterS

We have two e-newsletters you can subscribe to to keep in touch.

Our e-news is aimed at donors and supporters and contains updates on our fundraising campaigns and project announcements.

Our project e-news is aimed at potential loan recipients and includes information on grants, tools, case studies, blogs and tips on managing your organisation’s energy use.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Need additional information?

Get in touch & we’ll be happy to assist.

CONTACT US

Citizens Own Renewable Energy Network Australia Inc
ABN: 92 929 665 880

CORENA is a registered charity with nation-wide membership.

[email protected]

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In the spirit of reconciliation CORENA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.


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