The University of Newcastle has strengthened its pledge to a sustainable future by purchasing 10 per cent of its current annual electricity consumption as GreenPower™ accredited renewable energy.
Under the agreement with government accredited supplier of GreenPower™ - COzero, the University has purchased 3,503 MWh of GreenPower for the next 12 months and will avoid 3,118 tonnes of CO2.Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services), Dr Sue Gould, said the University was a sector leader in environmentally sustainable energy management.
"The University of Newcastle's energy consumption is 35 per cent lower than the university sector average," Dr Gould said.
"Our investment in GreenPower™ will lead to further development of renewable energy generation and a cleaner environment."
GreenPower™ is renewable energy sourced from the sun, the wind, water and waste that is purchased by COzero on the University's behalf.
Every dollar that is used to purchase GreenPower™ is invested back into the renewable energy industry to create infrastructure to help increase the amount of renewable energy supplied to the national power grid. The end result is less CO2 emissions and a more sustainable power supply for the future.
Dr Gould said the University was committed to ongoing carbon emissions reduction by 2015.
"The benefit of investing in GreenPower™ is that renewable energy is generated from sources like mini hydro, wind power and biomass that produce no net greenhouse gas emissions."
The University has had its energy management plan in place since 1997 and continues to set goals to further improve its performance in environmental sustainability.
"Multiple strategies are required for the sustainable management of water, transport, waste and natural resources to continue the University's leadership in the field," Dr Gould said.
Media contact: Dr Sue Gould, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services) on 02 4921 7363.
