An internal fund set up by Cessnock City Council, New South Wales, to invest in energy efficient projects is proving to be a real success as the benefits start to flow.
The Revolving Energy Fund was set up in 2015 driven by staff keen to see Council improve and embrace more efficient technologies.
The purpose of the fund was to establish an internal loan system for investing in energy efficiency.
All the savings made from the investment are returned to the fund and can be re-invested into the next energy saving projects.
General Manager, Stephen Glen, said the fund has seen Council undertake some fantastic projects including replacing fluorescent lights with LEDs.
“Very recently we undertook lighting retrofits at the Kurri Kurri Library and in our administration building. We also installed reflective blinds at the Cessnock Library. It cost $36,800 to do the installation of the administration building.
“Since the installation of the LED lights in the administration building our monthly electricity bill has reduced by about $1,000. These savings are being put straight back into the fund. We’ll have covered the cost of the installation in three years if this rate of saving continues.”
Council is now preparing to roll out new lighting at the Works Depot, the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre, Cessnock Aerodrome, Cessnock Performing Arts centre and Cessnock City Library.
All of these are planned to be completed by the end of July 2018.
