ARENA will provide $500,000 to Climate-KIC Australia, WWF-Australia and UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures to help build Australia’s first Business Renewables Centre.
The $1.74 million project, which is also supported by the NSW and Victorian Governments, aims to make it easier for Australian corporates and local councils to purchase or procure renewable energy through corporate Power Purchase Agreements.
Designed to accelerate the purchase of renewable energy by Australian business, the initiative will establish an online resource centre and a marketplace platform, and will be supported by face to face events for its industry members.
Drawing on the proven model of the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Business Renewables Centre in the USA, the new Centre will provide members with information, a network of energy buyers and project developers, inexpensive training and advice on power purchase agreement requirements.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the Business Renewables Centre Australia would help Australian businesses to bridge the gap to its global peers when it comes to transitioning to renewable energy.
“The future for energy is a large number of smaller renewable generating facilities often developed by non-generating entities,” he added.
“The Business Renewables Centre will help in that transition in using its vast expertise in running programs, entrepreneurship, innovation, education and other sustainability objectives to make it easier for companies and councils to enter into the renewables market.”
Climate-KIC Australia CEO Christopher Lee added:
“We are excited to be collaborating with industry players from small and large scale renewable energy developers, service providers and corporate buyers to build capability across the industry and lower the cost of transactions.”
“Our partners bring a broad breadth of experience and look forward to driving the uptake of renewables,” he concluded.
