SEC delivers MSAC a savings splash

Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) is set to save approximately $80,000 a year on its electricity costs thanks to a new rooftop solar installation provided and managed by SEC, its electricity retailer.

The 1.3-megawatt rooftop solar array is now supplying about a quarter of MSAC’s total energy use, powering everything from the Centre’s spa, sauna and widely acclaimed wave pool to the scoreboards across its ten indoor basketball courts.

The solar system is owned and operated by SEC. Under an agreement with the State Sport Centres Trust, the manager and operator of MSAC, SEC sells the electricity generated on-site to MSAC at a lower cost than electricity purchased from the grid. This means MSAC can benefit from solar power without paying the upfront cost of installing the system.

SEC General Manager Customer, Suzanne Retschko said the solar array is a great example of how SEC can partner with Victorian businesses to lower their energy costs while increasing the amount of renewable energy they use.

“MSAC will receive around 24% of their energy at a lower cost, avoiding upfront costs and a range of network charges. The new system will generate over one million kilowatt hours of electricity per annum, the equivalent of powering 254 homes.”

State Sport Centres Trust Chief Executive Officer Kate Roffey said: “Installing solar is not only critical in helping keep our fees and charges affordable for the millions of Victorians who access our Victorian State Sport Centres every day of the year, it’s an important part of our commitment to the long-term sustainability of our venues.

“Our partnership with SEC has allowed us to invest in solar to power MSAC without having to outlay the large-scale up-front capital investment usually required,” Ms Roffey said.

The State Sport Centres Trust is one of SEC’s Victorian Government customers following SEC’s entry into the retail electricity market a year ago. SEC retails 100% renewable electricity to more than 4,400 Victorian Government sites.

“SEC is excited to work with more Victorian businesses to deliver behind the meter solar and battery projects to enable them to take better control of their energy consumption and lower their energy bills,” said Ms Retschko.

SEC offers a suite of new 100% renewable electricity and energy solutions including fixed-price, multi-period time-of-use solutions that reward customers for using electricity when renewable energy is abundant, as well as power purchase agreements that enable customers to lock in longer term renewable energy supply contracts.

To complement these solutions, SEC offers a Virtual Power Plant capability and range of products that shares value directly with customers for reducing energy use during peak periods, shifting demand and optimising onsite assets such as rooftop solar and battery storage.

Learn more about SEC’s commitment to renewable generation here.