SEC Installs Solar Array to Cut Sports Centre Power Costs by $80,000 Annually
Victoria’s State Electricity Commission (SEC) has announced plans to significantly reduce the annual power bill of one of Melbourne’s largest sports and aquatic hubs by up to $80,000. This will be achieved through the installation of a rooftop solar system that the SEC will manage as the facility’s energy retailer.
Last year, the Victorian Labor government revitalised the SEC, enabling it to operate as a developer, generator, and retailer of renewable energy. This initiative supports various customers in government, commercial, and industrial sectors with demand management and alternative energy solutions.
New Solar Installation at MSAC
At the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) located in Albert Park, the SEC has installed a 1.3 megawatt rooftop solar system. This installation is expected to fulfil around a quarter of the centre’s total energy requirements, thereby reducing electricity costs substantially.
The electricity produced by this solar system will be sold to MSAC at a decreased rate compared to traditional grid prices. According to Suzanne Retschko, general manager of the SEC, “MSAC will receive approximately 24% of their energy at a lower cost, thereby avoiding significant upfront expenses and various network fees.”
Commitment to Sustainability
Kate Roffey, the CEO of the State Sport Centres Trust, which manages and operates the MSAC, highlighted the importance of this solar installation. She stated, “Implementing solar energy is essential for maintaining affordable fees for the millions of Victorians visiting our sports centres yearly. It also aligns with our commitment to sustaining our venues over the long haul.”
Roffey added that their collaboration with the SEC enabled them to harness solar power without needing to bear the large initial capital investment typically associated with such projects.
History of the MSAC
The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, inaugurated in 1997 beside Albert Park Lake, underwent substantial renovations and expansions in preparation for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. MSAC boasts several swimming facilities, including two competition pools measuring 50 metres, which frequently host statewide and national swimming events, in addition to a diving pool, wave pool, and hydrotherapy pool.
Revival of the SEC
The SEC was originally founded over a century ago to tap into Victoria’s brown coal reserves for electricity production. However, it was dismantled in the 1990s. The Labor government reinstated the SEC in 2023 as a publicly owned entity focused on renewable energy.
Jaclyn Symes, Victoria’s Minister for Energy and Resources, remarked, “The purpose of our publicly owned SEC is to provide more affordable renewable energy while helping to keep costs low at beloved local venues.” She further noted the SEC’s role in reducing energy expenses across numerous public facilities.
Broad Impact and Future Plans
The State Sport Centres Trust represents just one of the numerous governmental entities benefitting from the SEC’s services, which supplies 100% renewable electricity to over 4,400 government sites in Victoria.
Excitingly, Retschko expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with more Victorian enterprises to implement solar and battery projects, which would empower them to better manage their energy usage and lower costs.
