One of Australia’s largest property and strata services organisations, PICA Group, has inked a solar electricity deal that will save 64 strata buildings an estimated $681,000 annually when they switch from their existing energy plans, while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
With an annual saving of up to $60,000 per building, PICA Group will look to extend the plan to hundreds of additional properties across NSW and Victoria.
PICA Group has more than 200,000 lots under management in NSW, Victoria and Queensland across nine strata management businesses, including Dynamic Property Services.
The energy agreement was brokered for the Dynamic Property Services portfolio of strata buildings. It is the first time a strata organisation has created economies of scale to negotiate a low-cost, low-carbon energy deal on behalf of its customer base.
It is a three-year agreement with cheaper rates than any coal-based offer on the market.
The 100 per cent green solar electricity is sourced from two NSW solar farms and could soon offer other renewable energy sources such as wind, green hydrogen, battery storage and utility-scale renewables across the National Electricity Market.
PICA Group CEO Wayne Walker said owners corporations are becoming increasingly aware of carbon emissions and are motivated to reduce the footprint of their buildings.
With more than 100,000 lots under management in NSW, he said PICA Group was able to use its size and presence to negotiate the lowest energy rates in the industry.
Renewable energy is expected to become the prevailing and most affordable energy in NSW, after the Government last week announced it will work towards replacing all coal-fired power plants with renewable energy by 2042
Meanwhile, the Climate Councile has welcomed the Victorian government’s $797 million investment in clean energy jobs and reducing emissions.
The funds will help Victorians upgrade the efficiency of their homes, ramp up rooftop solar, bring down their power bills and create thousands of jobs for the state.
Climate Council’s CEO, Amanda McKenzie, said energy efficiency upgrades will be made available to those on low-incomes and renters.
The Victorian Government will also boost the rooftop solar rebates program, Solar Homes, including rebates for household batteries, which comes just weeks after the state announced its plan to build the largest battery in the southern hemisphere.
“Our economic modelling shows that the Victorian government can create thousands of direct jobs over the next three years by investing in energy efficiency, rapidly getting people back to work while also tackling climate change,” she said.
The Climate Council’s Clean Jobs Plan found 20,000 direct jobs can be created in Victoria over the next three years, rapidly getting people back into the workforce, whilst also tackling climate change.