The Hunter River Times

The Energy Hub has become a popular attraction at the Upper Hunter Show over the years, and it has continued to grow and evolve.

Organiser Kevin Doherty explained that the concept was born from the drought when local farmers were struggling with power bills on top of everything else that was against them during that time.

The Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry had the idea to bring together a range of information and resources to help farmers and the wider community identify how they can save on power.

“That initial one was sponsored coincidentally by AGL and they are sponsoring this year and that coincides with the imminent closure of Liddell Power Station,” Kevin shared.

“What we want to do is drag as many operations, individuals, organizations, businesses and interested parties in the energy economy and identify what the opportunities are now, what are the challenges that we’re going to face in the future, what employment there is.

“People say there’s all these new employment opportunities in the renewable energy economy, What are they? Where are they? Why?”

This year alongside all the modern technology will be A Trip Down Memory Lane provided by Muswellbrook Shire Citizen of the Year and member of the Hunter Valley Vintage Farm Machinery Club Jeff Wolfgang.

There will be representatives from the National Broadband Network in attendance on Saturday to answer questions about the service, something the community is encouraged to take advantage of.

Other stalls include Bengalla Mining Company, Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muswellbrook Shire Council Sustainability Unit, Ausgrid, University of Newcastle (Friday only), Hunter Jobs Alliance, NSW Training Services, MV Solar, Ausave, Hunter River Landcare Network / Lake Liddell, Hunter Circular Economic Zone, Upper Hunter Mining Dialog, Tesla Owners Club Australia and ARC Ento Tech ltd.

Muswellbrook Netball Association will be running a fundraising barbecue at the Energy Hub located at the top corner of the Showground in the Exhibition Paddock.

AGL are major sponsors of the Energy Hub and will be set up at the Upper Hunter Show across the weekend. They would love to have any past employees of Liddell Power Station make themselves known to the crew manning the booth. With the closure of the site next month they are recording history and trying to include as many people from the past 51 years in the process.