Camden Council says it has taken a gigantic step in its plan to cut emissions across its facilities.
It has just signed a new power purchasing agreement which will mean using 100 per cent renewable energy from next January.
The power purchasing agreement will see Camden join six other council areas across NSW in a 10-year deal with Snowy Hydro through Red Energy, utilising the Metz Solar farm near Armidale in the New England region.
Council says the deal will see renewable energy used in a staged approach.
Initially this will include energy for all streetlighting in Camden, as well as seven large council site.
These include the Oran Park administration building and Oran Park library, Camden and Narellan libraries, council’s depots in Narellan and Smeaton Grange, the Mount Annan Leisure Centre and Camden War Memorial Pool (pictured above).
A number of sites will have smart meters installed including the Camden civic centre, Curry Reserve water play space, Emerald Hills Reserve and Narellan Sports Hub.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli, says the new deal will be a significant contributor to meeting council’s target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
“Council is committed to investigating options to become more sustainable across the Camden area,” Cr Fedeli said.
“The move to a power purchasing agreement and securing 100 per cent renewable energy means approximately 90 per cent of council’s electricity usage will be from renewable sources from the turn of the new year.
“I am proud to be leading a progressive council and looking for ways to enhance the community for years to come.”
Council’s Sustainability Strategy 2020-24 identifies the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
For more information on sustainability in Camden, go to www.camden.nsw.gov.au/sustainability
