Jun 30, 2020
- Asphalt Production
- Business & Finance
- Health, Safety, Environment, Quality
- Sustainability
- Urban Issues
Citywide Asphalt Group has joined several prominent Melbourne businesses and universities in securing a multi-million-dollar deal to power their operations using renewable wind energy.
The second Melbourne Renewable Energy Project (MREP2) purchasing group of seven large energy users includes Citywide Asphalt Group, Fulton Hogan, RMIT University, Deakin University, Cbus Property, ISPT and Mondelez International.
The new MREP2 deal means 14 shopping centres, nine office buildings, seven educational campuses, and four manufacturing facilities – including Citywide Asphalt Group’s production plants in North Melbourne and Laverton – will be powered by renewable wind energy.
“Being a foundation member of the second Melbourne Renewable Energy Project is consistent with our strategy to develop a leadership position on sustainability and innovation,” said Chris Campbell, Chairman of the Citywide Asphalt Group Joint Venture (a joint Venture between Citywide and Fulton Hogan).
“Sustainability is a fundamental part of our social licence to operate and is about being responsible and accountable to our stakeholders and the communities we serve.”
The second Melbourne Renewable Energy Project was projected to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 123,000 tonnes a year, equivalent of taking more than 28,000 cars off the road every year, said Chris.
The purchasing agreement starts next month and 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.
Tango Energy will provide 110 GWh of renewable electricity per year to the purchasing group over 10 years.
City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood said MREP1 and MREP2 represented the equivalent of a five per cent reduction in the city’s emissions and a tangible shift towards renewable energy in the national grid.
“Renewable energy investments can and should play a significant role in supporting our economic recovery from COVID-19,” Cr Wood said.
“The purchase of renewable energy certainly has a positive environmental impact, but it also makes economic sense. We know the energy market can fluctuate a lot. Like MREP1, the MREP2 project allows the buying group to lock in price certainty.
“It’s also a significant step towards our goal for all of Melbourne to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.”
(All photos courtesy Pacific Hydro)
Media Contact:
Simon Mossman - Group Corporate Communications
M 0427 307 216
E simon.mossman@citywide.com.au