Canterbury Bankstown to save more than $90,000 in three years with renewable energy
THE City of Canterbury Bankstown expects to save more than $90,000 by switching to renewable energy sources, including solar, within the first three years.
The Express
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THE City of Canterbury Bankstown expects to save more than $90,000 by switching to renewable energy sources, including solar, within the first three years, following a landmark energy contract signed last week.
The contract with Origin Energy will deliver the much needed savings — crucially the price will be lower than the standard non-renewable energy — and is tied to 17 other councils linked together via Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC).
The focus on renewable energy sources fits in well with the smart city status the council promotes along with its environmentally-friendly schemes.
The council’s smart city initiatives includes rolling out electric vehicles to replace the present fleet.
Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour has hailed the Program for Energy and Environmental Risk Solutions (PEERS) contract, which will guarantee around 20 per cent of the city’s annual electricity load will be renewable energy.
This will be purchased from the Moree Solar Farm project until the end of 2030 and the percentage can be increased.
“This agreement means our renewable energy usage will jump to 22.5 per cent and deliver a saving of over $90,000 in the first three years alone,” Cr Asfour said.
“After three years, we will have the option to review energy costs and increase the percentage of renewable energy we buy.”
The council said the contract is the first of its kind in the state with the rest of the power being sources from non-renewable sources for three years.
“Council is an integral part of the success of the contract, because as the largest council in NSW by population, Canterbury-Bankstown is buying the greatest percentage of the total Megawatt load in the combined agreement,” the mayor said.
“Prior to this agreement being signed, solar panels on council facilities generated one-and-a-half per cent of the energy council uses.
“Over the next financial year, this will jump to two-and-a-half per cent.
“This agreement means our renewable energy usage will jump to 22.5 per cent and deliver a saving of over $90,000 in the first three years alone.
“This is a great example of councils working together to collectively bargain for a better deal which, in the end, saves our residents money.”
Mayor Asfour said they plan to install more solar panels on council-owned buildings and sites.
He pointed out their draft masterplan for Salt Pan Creek Reserve includes “aspirations for the installation of a solar farm and we’re also planning the installation of another 11 rooftop solar arrays on Council buildings this year”.