ESR Australia has partnered with Solar Bay to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure across ESR-managed assets across the country. The pair anticipate deploying up to A$500m (€297m) over the next decade to provide renewable energy solutions for ESR Australia’s customers, reducing up to 56,000 tonnes of CO2 per year from its customers’ operations.
ESR Australia’s customers will benefit from reduced energy costs of up to 50% via the installation of up to 50MW of solar capacity, 300MW of battery storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the company said.
Solar Bay is a behind-the-meter renewable energy owner and operator providing renewable energy solutions to its customers.
ESR Australia CEO, Phil Pearce, said the partnership would expand ESR’s sustainability footprint while furthering ambitions to deliver a positive contribution to the environment and the broader community.
He added: “It is imperative for ESR to future-proof its assets with consideration of environmental sustainability, and this significant investment into renewable energy infrastructure across our growing portfolio will ensure the continued viability of our operations and those of our customers.
“We are delighted to partner with Solar Bay, an organisation at the forefront of Australia’s renewable energy technology and infrastructure. ESR Australia will draw on Solar Bay’s expertise in technologies such as embedded networks, rooftop solar, electric-vehicle charging, battery storage and broader renewable-energy solutions to deliver infrastructure that addresses our customers’ energy needs today and into the future.”
He said ESR Australia’s customers’ energy requirements “have grown significantly due to the uptake of electric-powered automation and are set to grow with the further adoption of technology and the take up of electric vehicles”.
He added: “Through the provision of clean energy, we are seeking to alleviate pressure on our customers from growing energy costs, while mitigating the environmental impact of the increasing electrification of operations. ESR Australia will work closely with our customers to provide bespoke energy solutions with a view to offering savings of up to 50% on their energy bills with retail providers.”
Decarbonising Australia’s real estate sector
Solar Bay director and co-founder, James Doyle, said this was a “first-of-its-kind partnership” that “creates a new blueprint for decarbonising the Australian property sector”.
Doyle said: “We’re thrilled to be teaming up with ESR to deliver innovative, forward-thinking, renewable-energy solutions for their substantial portfolio of properties and customers. Through managing the development, design and installation of customised renewable energy infrastructure, Solar Bay will provide existing and future ESR customers with tailored technology solutions that meet their individual business needs.
”The multi-year partnership also allows us to maximise renewable energy penetration across ESR’s development pipeline by implementing innovative electrification solutions like embedded networks during the build stage, giving customers access to cost-competitive, 100% renewable energy. This partnership is proof of the rapid increase in demand for green energy solutions, and together with ESR we look forward to continuing to play a leading role in the sector’s transition away from carbon-based fuels over the coming years.”
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