NSW Government awards University of Wollongong a Gold “Green Globe Award”

Nov 24, 2005

Significant energy savings at the University of Wollongong have been recognised by the NSW Government with the Minister for Utilities, Mr Carl Scully, awarding UOW a Gold “Green Globe Award” at this week's Energy and Water Green Globe Awards 2005.

The University's energy reduction equates to 9,321GJ or 2,617 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Through the Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability (DEUS), the University received the Gold award at a special ceremony held at NSW Parliament House - the only university and Illawarra-based organisation to receive a green globe award this year. The Gold award is achieved when 75 per cent of identified energy saving projects have been implemented.

The University of Wollongong became an Energy Smart Business Partner in June 1998 with the then Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA).

SEDA awarded the University of Wollongong a Bronze Green Globe award for energy reduction in October 2001 and a Silver Green Globe award in November 2003.

Now the University has been awarded the Gold “Green Globe Award” for the highest achievement in the DEUS Energy Smart Business Program.

Only eight other companies operating in NSW were presented the Gold award at the 2005 ceremony.Maintenance and Energy Manager for UOW's Buildings and Grounds Division, Mr Chris Hewitt, said the energy reductions were achieved primarily through implementing energy conscious design of all new and refurbished building space, a lighting upgrade project and replacement of antiquated air-conditioning plant.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerard Sutton, congratulated the University's Buildings and Grounds Division and, in particular, Mr Hewitt for managing the partnership with DEUS.