The NSW Government is looking to maximise the more than eight million square metres of roof space across the State’s public schools to provide renewable energy solutions.
NSW Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said an Expression of Interest (EOI) is open for companies that can deliver ways to finance and operate solar and battery systems under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
“With roof space equivalent to around 500 Sydney Cricket Grounds available across 2,200 NSW public schools, this exercise will help us harness the power potential of our schools,” Mr Kean said.
“We have to be smart about how we finance and operate these resources so we maximise the financial returns for NSW and help make the electricity system more secure.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the EOI is being run alongside the Smart Energy School Pilot Project.
“The project is testing solar and battery energy storage systems at 60 schools across the state and the feasibility of operating them as part of a virtual power plant,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We want to reduce our state’s carbon emissions, cut school electricity costs and help students to learn more about renewable energy, and these programs are an exciting opportunity for schools to benefit from renewable energy technology.
“NSW Public Schools have the roof space and it is a no brainer that we look at how we can start utilising that space to benefit NSW energy market.”
Companies with experience in delivering a range of renewable energy solutions are being invited to register for the Smart Energy Schools Pilot Program via an Expression of Interest (EOI) process – the largest procurement exercise of its kind in Australia.
Non-binding proposals received during the EOI will be shortlisted in early 2023. The short-listed proposals will be considered as part of a potential future large scale roll out across the NSW public school asset portfolio.
Interested participants should visit NSW Government’s eTendering website to register their interest in the program and participate in an online briefing session.
This article originally appeared as a media release on the NSW Education Department’s website.
