Electricity use

The Authority’s annual electricity usage in 2019-20 a 3.7% lower than in 2018-19, with 14,730,502 kilowatt hours consumed across the Park.

The Authority has achieved reduced electricity consumption through projects such as the staged replacement of existing public area lighting with energy-efficient LED luminaires. This has now been carried out in the town centre, with re-lamping undertaken at the Yulang, Station Square, Jacaranda Square, Fig Grove, Olympic Boulevard, Heritage Precinct and Cathy Freeman Park. Luminaire replacement was also undertaken at the Quaycentre and the Aquatic Centre.  

The Authority has also supplied 373,556-kilowatt hours to the grid via solar power generation on site. Solar power is generated and fed into the grid from the “Towers of Power” along Olympic Boulevard, the Education Centre, and Newington Armory. Solar power is also used in remote areas of the Park to operate leachate pumps, pathway lights and car park ticket dispensers.

In addition, a 123kW solar photovoltaic system able to generate ~170,000kWh per year was constructed and commissioned on the roof of P3 Car Park in April 2020. The system is connected to The Authority’s head office and is expected to reduce electricity costs by 50% and save 14 tonnes of CO2 per month.  

Reduce your electricity usage

What can you do to reduce your electricity usage and associated electricity bills? Make the switch to LEDs! LED lights can save you around 70% in electricity and significantly reduce your power bills. Find out about NSW Government rebates and discounts. 

When purchasing appliances; find the product with the highest energy efficiency by using the star rating label as a guide  

Save energy in the kitchen

• Determine an appropriate fridge size for your needs:  
  • 1 - 2 people: 250-380L 
  • 3-4 people: 350-530L
  • 4 or more people: 440L + 
• Get savvy with your fridge and freezer temperatures. Each degree lower uses 5% more energy. See advice on ideal fridge settings.  
• Keep compressor coils on your fridge clean to ensure it’s working efficiently. 
• Cover your food when storing in the fridge- but not with plastic, search for reusable alternatives such as beeswax wraps, silicone lids or lunch boxes. 
• Regularly check your fridge's seal. 
• Fill your fridge with some water jugs to keep it colder for longer.
• If possible, position the fridge away from ovens, heaters, dishwashers and direct sunlight. 

Make sure the exhaust fans in your kitchen are kept clean and dust-free so they don’t need to work so hard. 

Save energy in the laundry

• If you are purchasing a new clothes washer, consider a front-loading model. Front-loading washers can use up to 60% less energy than top-loading machines.
• Always wash a full load.  
• Get familiar with the different wash cycles available on your machine for different degrees of soiled clothes and pre-soak heavily soiled items.
• Wash with cold water rather than warm water.  
• Try to ditch the clothes dryer as they are typically very inefficient. Use an outdoor or indoor clothes hanger to hang your clothes after washing them – but check your body corporate rules first. Research different clothesline designs for outdoor and indoor use. 

Save energy in the bathroom

• Make sure the exhaust fans in your bathrooms are clean and dust-free.
• If you have a rechargeable electric toothbrush or shaver, make sure to unplug them when they are fully charged.  
• Consider air-drying your hair instead of using the hair dryer.
• See how to connect to a solar hot water system.

Save energy in bedrooms or common areas

• In the warmer months keep your curtains drawn on those hot sunny days to keep the heat out.  
• Take advantage of natural heat from the sun in winter by opening your curtains and blinds on sunny days and closing them at night to keep the heat inside.  
• If you have an air-conditioner, make sure to clean the filters regularly. Consider only using the air-conditioner for 10 minutes and then use standing fans or ceiling fans to circulate the cool air. 
• Place portable draft stoppers in front of doors and windows.  
• Use a hot/cold water bottle to adjust your temperature when sleeping at night; it certainly uses less energy than a central heating system or fan.  

What else can you do to save energy in your home?

Have you heard of Earth Hour? You can join this global event each year and turn off all of your lights and electronics for one hour. You can choose to do it more than once a year!

Organise your own Earth Hours at home and reconnect with family, take time away from the screen and help light-sensitive nocturnal animals thrive in urban environments. Why not get your neighbours to join in too?

Learn more about Earth Hour.

Do you use a fan or air conditioning to feel a sense of fresh air? You can invest in indoor plants instead, recommended by NASA as the best air-cleaning plants for your home.