Whitehorse Council is implementing an energy performance contract valued at $2million across eight Council sites, designed to improve Council’s energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency upgrades as part of the EPC will be undertaken at Aqualink Box Hill, Sportlink, Box Hill Town Hall, Box Hill Community Arts Centre, Eley Park Community Centre, Whitehorse Civic Centre, Whitehorse Operations Centre, and Whitehorse Recycling and Waste Centre.
Whitehorse Mayor, Councillor Sharon Ellis said EPCs are increasingly being used by government and private industry as a proven and holistic way to deliver energy efficiency measures at a fixed price, with guaranteed cost and energy savings that are verified using international standards.
“The projects may include installation of solar panels, lighting changeovers or upgrade of heating and cooling equipment, which will enable council to achieve permanent energy savings of 1,343 tonnes and financial savings of $277,966 annually,” Cr Ellis said.
“This work will also contribute to Council’s progress towards its target to become carbon neutral by 2022.
“The energy efficiency measures in this EPC will have an overall financial payback period of less than 7 years, after which Council would maintain the benefit of ongoing operational cost savings due mainly to lower energy consumption.
“This will limit Council’s exposure to future energy price shocks, while providing higher quality amenity and service to the community by improving building performance.”