In an attempt to lead the way to meet the city’s goal of zero net emissions by 2020, the City of Melbourne has established a group of large energy users, who are interested in testing a new approach to drive investment in renewable energy.
The group has a collective energy consumption of around 100 gigawatt hours worth of energy, which under current market conditions is equivalent to around 250,000 solar panels or 15 wind turbines.
The City has launched a Request for Information Process to combine its purchasing power and signal its interest in securing a competitive price for a long-term electricity supply from renewable sources. The City aims to source up to 25 percent of the municipality’s electricity from renewable resources by 2018.
Achieving this target will require substantial structural, economic and policy changes in Melbourne to help decrease reliance on carbon intensive fuel sources.
If the new model for securing renewable energy works, other organisations will be encouraged to adopt a similar model.
The current partners involved in the group are: City of Maribyrnong, City of Yarra, Federation Square, NEXTDC, Mirvac and bankmecu.
An evaluation process will begin in 2015 to determine the overall viability of the model and whether to proceed to a full tender process.
For more information visit www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/Sustainability
