ZEN ENERGY CHOSEN TO SUPPLY 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY TO CSIRO

Article originally published by the CSIRO.

Through the Agreement, signed with ZEN Energy, 26 CSIRO-managed research sites in ACT, NSW, and Victoria will be supplied by renewable generation from two regional solar farms.

This includes the iconic Parkes Observatory in regional NSW, the Canberra Deep Space Communication Centre in Tidbinbilla and the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong, the site of key research in the rapid global response to COVID-19.

The Agreement is the largest of its type in place for a Commonwealth Government agency.

CSIRO Director of Business and Infrastructure Services, Dave Agnew said the agreement will enable CSIRO to halve its annual carbon emissions associated with electricity use at CSIRO sites.

“This is a very significant step towards being net-zero in our operations, and is in line with our broader remit to help Australia navigate to a low emissions future,” Mr Agnew said.

CSIRO’s energy research portfolio is delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable solutions for the nation.

This includes innovation and simulations to support Australia’s electricity network transformation, and key low emissions technologies like hydrogen, that will drive significant emissions reduction.

“As a world leader in sustainability research, CSIRO is committed to innovative science and technology that reduces emissions and global climate change impacts,” Mr Agnew said.

“We aspire to be an organisation that promotes and demonstrates sustainable operations and practices that are consistent with our science and innovation impact.

In addition to entering into a commercial PPA, CSIRO and ZEN are exploring opportunities to undertake collaborative renewable energy science projects.

The new Power Purchase Agreement follows CSIRO’s recent completion of a solar photovoltaic (PV) roll-out across 10 sites nationally.

The PV installations have the capacity to generate more than five megawatts of renewable energy and reduce CSIRO’s carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by around 5900 tonnes each year.

ZEN Energy to Power SA Government Energy.

ZEN Energy and SA Government have signed a new energy supply contract that will help power COVID recovery in the state, creating 810 construction jobs and supplying cleaner, cheaper and more secure electricity.In a decade-long deal with South Australian Government, the contract includes the construction of South Australia’s largest solar farm and the state’s 5th grid-scale battery.

ZEN Energy won the new contract after a rigorous process, to supply power to the State Government through to 2030. Selecting ZEN Energy is an example of the government’s commitment to a uniquely South Australian organisation. ZEN Energy will supply the state with highly competitive renewable energy solutions.

“ZEN Energy is pleased to be able to continue to build a long term relationship with the SA Government to supply its electricity needs across all government sites. This recognises ZEN Energy’s high-quality customer service approach and innovative energy solutions.

This is a landmark contract for ZEN Energy’s business, building on other recent announcements for long term renewable energy supply contracts and reinforces the ability for renewable energy to supply customers with clean, affordable energy solutions.

This contract continues ZEN Energy’s growth with more jobs at its head office in Adelaide.” said Ross Garnaut, Director ZEN Energy

In a statement from Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan said, “The Marshall Government has used its significant purchasing power to secure the construction of a 280 MW solar farm at Cultana near Whyalla and 100 MW battery near Port Augusta – both to be delivered in partnership with SIMEC Energy Australia.

This is a great outcome for taxpayers, for jobs, for power prices and for grid security.

The Marshall Government’s energy policies are making these long-proposed projects a reality.

It’s a big solar farm and a big battery, with big savings for taxpayers, creating a big jobs number.

The $660 million investment to deliver these two projects includes the creation of up to 810 new jobs at the peak of the construction phase and around $40 million in local goods and services.

These projects will be a coup for the communities of the Upper Spencer Gulf.

This new contract will allow ZEN Energy to grow its business customer base, enter the residential, retail market and improve both the security and reliability of the grid with the state’s 5th grid-scale battery.

Once operational, these new assets will have a positive impact on competition in South Australia and deliver emissions reductions and price reductions, saving SA households $10 on average on their electricity bills, on top of the $158 average reduction in our first two years in Government.”

The 10-year agreement commences on the 1st of November and will result in around $12.8 million in savings for taxpayers compared to the previous power arrangements.