MCG partners with EnergyAustralia to transition to run on 100% renewable power

Partnering with EnergyAustralia to complete a transition to run entirely on power from renewable sources, the Melbourne Cricket Ground has claimed a first for a major stadium in Australia.

Since 1st January, 100% of the famous venue’s energy used is GreenPower coming solely from renewable sources - marking the latest sustainability initiative to come out of a partnership between the MCG and EnergyAustralia, going back five years.

The transition, which has already cut the MCG’s greenhouse emissions reduced by close to 1,000 tonnes, equivalent to taking 214 cars off the road for a year, sees everything from lighting up its light towers to heating the pie warmers and opening the turnstiles powered solely from renewable sources.

The latest innovations follows EnergyAustralia having, in 2018, made the MCG carbon neutral during the AFL finals month of September. It installed 12 solar powered lights and security cameras in 2019, lighting the way for those coming to the ‘G through Yarra Park and keeping them safe.

The following year it put in 220 solar panels along the roofline of the Northern Stand, powering the stadium’s innovative water recycling facility, which impressively turns sewerage into Class A water. Then in August last year the energy retailer installed 14 solar compactus bins in Yarra Park, crushing rubbish down to a fifth of its normal size so requiring less garbage trucks to empty bins.

Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) Chief Executive, Stuart Fox, sees this latest initiative as a huge moment in the sustainability journey of the MCG, commenting “this is a really exciting initiative for the MCC and EnergyAustralia – to work together and provide a first for major stadiums in the country.

“We have a keen focus on environmental sustainability at the MCG – from our water recycling plant and organics dehydrator to the solar panels installed on the roof a couple of years ago with EnergyAustralia.

“To have all of the MCG’s energy needs provided by 100 per cent renewables is a great step on our sustainability journey.

“At the MCG, we’re about inspiring excellence and leading by example, so we hope to see this initiative continued into other stadiums and venues across the country.”

Images courtesy of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.