The red shield goes green

AGL powers Salvos national transition to rooftop solar

The Salvation Army has embarked on a 15-year renewable energy partnership with AGL which will enable the charity to reduce its carbon emissions and cut running costs across its social services.

AGL has begun the heavy lifting on the road to installing solar energy systems at more than 850 Salvation Army sites across Australia, with the first site commissioned at Coburg, Victoria.

Based on the past financial year’s usage, the solar project is forecast to generate approximately 23 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy per year, reducing the Salvos’ annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 17,500 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

The Salvation Army’s Chief Secretary, Colonel Winsome Merrett said, “substantial savings on running costs frees up additional funds for caring for vulnerable Australians.

“However, this is not a project we could have even contemplated without AGL taking on the capital costs and partnering with us through the operational years.

“So, we are sincerely grateful to the commitment shown by AGL to set us on a more sustainable path across Australia as we care for people and our planet.”

AGL Chief Customer Officer, Christine Corbett said, “the partnership with The Salvation Army is centred around supporting the not-for-profit to decarbonise and be part of Australia’s evolving energy transition.

“The Salvation Army has been helping Australian communities for 140 years and we are proud to be powering their decarbonisation journey,” Ms Corbett said.

 “By installing low emission technology like solar we are creating affordable solutions so the Salvos can do what they do best and direct their resources to those who need it most.”

The 15-year joint venture with AGL will also position The Salvation Army to decarbonise its mobile outreach services through trial battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at select locations across Australia.