The City of Melbourne is one in a group of prominent Melbourne universities and businesses that has secured a multi-million-dollar deal to power operations from wind energy produced in regional Victoria.

The purchasing group seven large energy users includes RMIT University, Deakin University, Cbus Property, ISPT, Fulton Hogan, Citywide Asphalt and Mondelez International.

It is the second purchasing agreement facilitated by the City of Melbourne through the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project (MREP). With the two agreements combined, they are helping the City to reduce its emissions by five per cent.

“The new group includes 14 shopping centres, nine office buildings, seven educational campuses, and four manufacturing facilities,” said the Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood. Most of the wind power will be produced at the Yaloak South Wind Farm. Tango Energy will provide 110 GWh of renewable electricity per year to the group over 10 years.

Environment portfolio Chair and ICLEI First Vice President Cr Cathy Oke said accelerating the transition can only happen with private sector investment. “The second Melbourne Renewable Energy Project will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by 123,000 tonnes a year, that’s the equivalent of taking more than 28,000 cars off the road every year,” Cr Oke said.

The two deals combined provide more renewable power for over 40,000 households per year.

“Renewable energy investments can and should play a significant role in supporting our economic recovery from COVID-19,” the Deputy Lord Mayor said.

Source: Media release, City of Melbourne