The City of Sydney has announced it will begin final negotiations with energy provider Cogent Energy to build and operate the country's first low-carbon energy network tasked with powering central Sydney.

 

Cogent Energy, who's parent company is Origin Energy, won the contested tender to deliver Sydney's trigeneration energy network.

 

"The City is moving closer to turning this groundbreaking project into reality -initiatives like our trigeneration network will ensure that Sydney remains one of the world's leading green cities in the race to address climate change," Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

 

"Our aim is to take most, if not all, of city buildings off the coal fired grid as part of our 2030 goal to cut carbon emissions by 70 per cent.

 

"Trigeneration runs on natural gas and produces low carbon electricity, heating and air-conditioning for clusters of surrounding buildings.

 

The package now being negotiated with Cogent Energy includes not only City of Sydney council buildings, but the first of four "low-carbon-zones" across central Sydney, as set out in the City's Trigeneration Master Plan.

 

These are:

  • CBD North (Martin Place/George Street);
  • CBD South (Town Hall Precinct);
  • Pyrmont/Ultimo; and,
  • Green Square.

 

A study by the University of Technology Sydney estimates this project could save up to $1.5 billion in avoided capital investment in new coal-fired power stations and grid upgrades.