RMIT leads new renewable energy deal

RMIT leads new renewable energy deal

In partnership with the City of Melbourne, RMIT is leading a group of Melbourne universities and businesses to source wind energy produced in regional Victoria.

MREP2 will source energy from Yaloak South Wind Farm. Credit: Pacific Hydro MREP2 will source energy from Yaloak South Wind Farm. Image: Pacific Hydro Australia

Building on the success of the first Melbourne Renewable Energy Project (MREP1), RMIT and six new partners are now using their combined purchasing power to secure wind energy through MREP2, facilitated by the City of Melbourne. 

The new deal will see 22 RMIT buildings across the City and Bundoora East campuses become 100% carbon neutral from January 2021, including Melbourne architectural icon, The Capitol.

Tango Energy will provide 110 GWh of renewable electricity per year to the purchasing group over 10 years, representing significant savings in energy costs. 

Most of the wind power will be produced at the Yaloak South Wind Farm near Ballan, with the remaining energy coming from other wind farm projects in regional Victoria.

The deal is equivalent to providing enough renewable power for more than 22,000 households a year and, when combined with MREP1, that figure jumps to enough power for 40,000 households a year. 

RMIT Executive Director of Property Services and Procurement Chris Hewison said the project highlighted the University’s longstanding commitment to sustainability.

“The University is delighted to lead the MREP 2 buying group, as the project clearly aligns with RMIT’s commitment to embed sustainability into all its activities,” he said.

“RMIT’s ongoing involvement in the Renewable Energy Project is an opportunity to demonstrate sustainability leadership in our community while driving significant progress toward our goal to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Yaloak South Wind Farm. Image: Pacific Hydro Australia Yaloak South Wind Farm. Image: Pacific Hydro Australia

“The University has benefitted from the economy of scale through the group procurement process and our united aim to be leaders and champions for impactful change in the communities we serve and beyond.”

The new purchasing group includes 14 shopping centres, nine office buildings, seven educational campuses, and four manufacturing facilities.

In 2017, the University committed to purchasing 25% of its electricity from Crowlands Wind Farm in regional Victoria, under MREP1.

Together the two contracts will provide 70% of RMIT’s grid electricity supply, bringing significant savings in energy costs per year.

 

Story: Diana Robertson

Banner image: Yaloak South Wind Farm. Image: Pacific Hydro Australia

30 June 2020

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30 June 2020

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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