The City of Bayswater has achieved its 2025 target of 100% renewable electricity for City operations, excluding streetlighting, as part of its Emission Reduction and Renewable Energy (ERRE) Plan.
Endorsed by Council in 2021, the ERRE Plan sets out a roadmap for actions the City will take to achieve its emissions reduction and renewable energy use targets, including net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Mayor Filomena Piffaretti said the City was a leader in the local government sector for its actions to mitigate the effects of climate change at a local level.
"The City has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce energy demand and cost, including entering into power purchasing agreements with Synergy and WALGA, and reducing energy demand from the grid by installing solar panels," she said.
"In a Western Australian first, we entered into a contract with Synergy and WALGA to receive 100% green energy for 38 of our sites, delivering significant savings.
“This contract has enabled us to transition the electricity supply for City operations to renewable sources.
"The greenhouse gas emissions we’ve saved so far equates to the average yearly emissions of 350 Australian households, 812 return flights between Perth and London, or planting 105,000 trees."
Building on this success, the City last month re-signed a contract with WALGA and Synergy for the supply of renewable electricity for another three years.
The City has also added solar panels to 25 key sites, including its Civic Centre and Depot, The RISE, Morley Sport and Recreation Centre, Bayswater Waves and Maylands Waterland.
By 2030, the City aims to power all operations, including street lighting, with renewable energy or carbon offsets. By 2040, the City plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gases for its operations and supply chain.
Pictured (left to right): Councillor Giorgia Johnson, Mayor Filomena Piffaretti and Councillor Sally Palmer at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre, home to one of the City’s largest solar PV systems.