The solar project, termed ‘Project Stegosaurus’, was originally launched as part of a $6.2 million Utilities Efficiency Investment Project in February 2013. The aim is to help MCA reach its global sustainability targets and it is supported by the State Government of Victoria.
“This solar photovoltaic installation will reduce energy consumption by 280MW/h per annum, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 350 tonnes a year and provide net energy cost savings of $50,000 a year” said Acting General Manager Duncan Webster. “That means that, even though we are continuing to grow our business, it is sustainable growth and not at the expense of the environment in which we operate. We are growing our business while actually shrinking our environmental footprint by putting in systems and technologies that help us meet our global target of eliminating the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.”
MCA has installed solar panels, manufactured by German solar PV company Conergy, on the roofs of its main administration building and main bar line packing building, alongside two new tracking systems that follow the sun at the entrance to the site.
The project is part of a five-year, $52 million dollar upgrade of the Ring Road manufacturing plant and is also linked in to the company’s aims to closely integrate and work with the local community of Ballarat, where the company has been working closely with Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE) to help reduce its emissions.
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