“First of its kind” solar technology installed at Port Macquarie Base Hospital

A new battery storage system installed at Port Macquarie Base Hospital this week is set to save the facility tens of thousands of dollars each year.

Port Macquarie is leading the way in energy efficiency, with a new solar battery storage system installed at the town’s hospital this week.

The current rooftop system at Port Macquarie was the largest hospital solar power system in Australia when it was installed in 2018, and this new large-scale battery will maximise the facility’s existing renewable energy capabilities.

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said the 2.25MWh battery storage system is the first of its kind.

“This innovative project is expected to save the hospital at least $81,000 each year and reduce emissions by over 3,327 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, while helping the NSW Government to meet our solar targets,” she said.

“It will reduce pressure on the local electricity network through a significant reduction in peak demand from the hospital, and also enable the hospital to generate additional revenue by selling valuable services back to the grid.”

Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) chief executive, Stewart Dowrick, said the project demonstrates the MNCLHD’s commitment to continued innovation and sustainability.

“The energy conservation measures we have been implementing in recent years have included the installation of LED lighting, rooftop solar panels, window tinting and collection of rain water,” he said.

“We installed the first large-scale solar system on a NSW public hospital in mid-2018 in a model that has been adopted by other local health districts across the state.”

Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer Felicity Wilson said that by making Port Macquarie Base Hospital more energy-efficient, the battery will free up funds that can be invested back into the health system.

“In future, large scale battery storage systems could potentially be used to test the viability of replacing traditional diesel generators as critical reliance and back-up power in these facilities,” she said.

The project was made possible through a $350,000 investment for research and development, and an additional $2 million grant from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s (DPIE) Smart Batteries for Key Government Buildings initiative.