There is going to be a big change in the way the national broadband network is powered.
Renewables will soon power the country’s broadband network after construction of the first solar farm begins.
NBN Co, which is set to launch in the second half of 2022, expects the solar farm near Wyalong in NSW to power nearly 20 percent of the country’s broadband connections.
More than 127,000 solar panels will be installed on the site, with 150 jobs to be created in the construction phase.
The electricity generated on the 260-hectare site is sufficient to power the equivalent of 27,000 households.
The solar farm is just the first in the supplier’s agreements, which are owned by the government, and which say it will help its goal of moving to 100 percent renewable energy by the end of 2025.
Last year, NBN Co became the 111th Australian company, including retail giant Woolworths and big four bank ANZ, to join the global RE100 initiative.
Communications Secretary Michelle Rowland, who will appear alongside NBN Co’s Gavin Williams for the sod turning ceremony, congratulated the internet service provider on the milestone.
“It is critical that Australian organizations and communities find ways to reduce emissions, and NBN Co, through its 100 percent commitment to renewable energy, is not only reducing emissions, it is also the first Australian telecommunications company and Australian public company to join to the global RE100 initiative,” said the minister.
NBN concluded the 10-year power purchase agreement with the West Wyalong solar park in July 2020.
In a statement, Mr Williams said turning the sod marked the shift from “ambition to action”.
“It is particularly gratifying that we are moving from ambition to action, demonstrating through actions rather than words our commitment to reduce emissions and support the country’s transition to a zero-carbon economy,” he said.
“We have a strong commitment to making the network as efficient and resilient as possible.
“As we realize our company’s goal of increasing Australia’s digital capacity, we are not only aligning ourselves with the latest climate science, but also playing a role in supporting climate technologies and the livelihoods of people living in new energy pathways work.”
