Clean Energy Future

Sydney’s Castle Hill RSL Club is using a Government energy efficiency grant to cut its electricity bill by $250,000 a year.

The club, in the city’s north-west, will install a tri-generation system after being awarded almost $500,000 under the Government’s Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP).

The tri-generation system will capture waste heat and turn it into heating, cooling and surplus electricity to power the entire club.

Castle Hill RSL estimates that carbon pollution levels created by its electricity use will drop by 49 per cent – a reduction of 1185 tonnes per year, or a total of 23,694 tonnes over the 20 year life of the system.

“The club has four pools, five restaurants and a fitness and sports complex soon to be powered almost entirely by cleaner energy generated on site,” Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus said.

CEEP grants are funded by revenue from the carbon price and are helping to establish clean energy projects in council and community buildings across Australia.

Warren Glenny, President of Castle Hill RSL Group, said the club was committed to sustainable business practices.

“The CEEP grant presented the opportunity to assist with the upfront purchase of the tri-generation system which will achieve longer term energy efficiency outcomes, improving our return on investment and overall responsibility to members, the broader community and our environment,” Mr Glenny said.

The money saved on energy costs each year will be invested in club facilities and 20 sporting and inter-clubs supported by the RSL, including the Castle Hill RSL Rockets Soccer Club, Castle Hill Dolphins Swimming Club, Hills District Little Athletics, the Kokoda Youth Leadership Program, The Max Potential Youth Leadership Program and the SHINE Hills Schools Excellence Awards Program.