NSW Government saving with solar
Media release | 12 October 2018
The NSW Department of Industry is partnering with energy services provider Verdia, and Westpac to deliver $2.3 million in electricity savings by installing 850kW of solar PV across three regional sites.
Solar panels will be installed at three large Government-owned sites – the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute in Menangle, the Tamworth Agricultural Institute and the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute at Taylors Beach.
The NSW Government is committed to improving our environmental footprint and reducing the operating costs of government-owned sites, so almost 3000 panels, enough to cover 18 tennis courts, will be installed across all three sites, important centres for aquaculture, agriculture and livestock research.
The Department spends more than $680,000 each year on electricity across these sites and the solar panels will produce enough electricity to reduce CO2 emissions by 19 per cent. That’s the equivalent of taking 573 cars off NSW roads.
Verdia’s CEO Paul Peters said on site solar energy will provide lasting environmental benefits for the community while reducing operational costs for the research facilities by more than a third.
“Installing solar PV is a great way to hedge against future electricity price volatility and proactively reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
“Verdia will accelerate the delivery of rooftop solar so the Department of Industry can realise the financial and environmental savings sooner.”
Jon Ross, Executive Director, Global Head of Public Sector at Westpac Institutional Bank said the project demonstrates how business, banking and industry can work in partnership for the environment.
“Through Westpac’s partnership with Verdia we can deliver end-to-end solutions for our customers, from initial consultation, to project implementation and financing, right through to project completion and
beyond,” Mr Ross said.
“We are able to deliver energy efficient solutions in a cost effective manner and we look forward to working with the NSW Government and Verdia into the future to bring further benefits for NSW.”