Murdoch early in `going green

Melville Times
Tuesday 22/7/2008 Page: 4

Murdoch University has become the first in Australia to sign a deal to use 15 per cent Green Power, achieving the highest percentage use of nationally accredited renewable energy of any university in the country. Currently the only other two universities to sign up to Green Power are in New South Wales and use 2.5 per cent.

The university is purchasing Green Power from Synergy Energy sourced from wind farms in Albany and Emu Downs. The contract will begin on December 1. Murdoch's initiative will prevent at least 3500 tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere each year, which is equivalent to emissions generated by the electricity consumption of 500 homes.

Vice Chancellor John Yovich said Murdoch was also working with Synergy Energy to investigate other ways to reduce its energy usage and emissions, including use of photovoltaic solar panels on its buildings to generate power onsite. The university had taken the initiative to reduce its emissions several years ahead of anticipated mandatory rules for universities as part of its overall strategy to "go green."