CEFC and Mirvac to help homebuyers reduce energy costs at new masterplanned communities

15 March 2018

First and new home buyers in Sydney and Brisbane will have access to state-of-the-art clean energy homes of the future as part of an industry-first joint initiative between leading Australian developer Mirvac and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).

In an Australian clean energy first, Mirvac is working with the CEFC to embed a range of clean energy initiatives as part of the base build in three new masterplanned residential communities.  The communities will include more than 300 family homes, of three and four bedrooms, each with built-in solar and battery storage systems, as well as high-grade insulation, LED lighting and energy efficient appliances.

The ready-to-operate 5.1kW rooftop solar systems, paired with 10kWh battery systems, will provide residents with a clean energy alternative sufficient to meet up to 90 per cent of a typical household’s energy consumption. 

The CEFC is committing up to $90 million in debt finance as part of Mirvac’s broader financing of the masterplanned communities, which are subject to final development approval.

CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth said: “The CEFC’s finance will mean this clean energy technology is already included in the homes during construction, at no additional cost to the home buyer.  This will deliver significant and ongoing long-term benefits to families and residents.

“Australian homes have an average lifespan of almost 50 years.  By incorporating renewable energy and energy efficiency measures from day one, these new homes can provide a lifetime of lower energy costs and lower carbon emissions for their residents.

“Australians are world famous for our adoption of rooftop solar. When we use solar energy alongside battery storage and other clean energy technologies, we can significantly cut household reliance on grid energy, giving homeowners more control over their energy consumption and their carbon footprint.”

Mirvac Group General Manager, Sustainability and Reputation, Sarah Clarke, said: “Mirvac is proud to partner with the CEFC as we deliver against our bold target to be net positive in energy and water by 2030 and provide technology in our homes which helps people towards zero bills living.

“Cost of living and environmental sustainability are issues our customers really care about, and this is another great example of how Mirvac is focused on providing more affordable living options.”

Mirvac will provide further project details as the planning approvals are finalised across the masterplanned communities. Construction is expected to commence later in 2018, subject to planning approvals, with the first homes ready for purchase and occupation by late 2019.

While residential buildings account for as much as half of all emissions produced across Australia’s built environment, home owners are increasingly proactive in switching to clean energy technologies to save energy and reduce emissions. The Clean Energy Regulator registered a surge in new residential solar PV in 2017, with an average 9,500 rooftop panels installed every day, coinciding with an increase preference for larger capacity systems. 

According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Australians invested in more than 1GW of new rooftop solar in 2017 – adding the equivalent of a small-scale coal fired power station to the nation’s energy supply. Home battery installations also increased substantially, with an additional 3,147 systems installed in 2017.

But even with these dramatic increases, only 18 per cent of Australian homes have rooftop solar, and only 0.1 per cent are benefitting from battery storage.

CEFC property sector lead Chris Wade added: “Our goal is to see these built-in sustainability measures become the ‘new normal’ for Australian homes as part of our broader efforts to encourage net zero carbon buildings.  

“Smart building design, combined with solar and battery storage packages, can give home owners greater control over their energy use and can pave the way for energy self-sufficiency.

“As a key part of this investment, we will work with Mirvac to monitor energy use and track energy savings, so we can share insights into the positive impacts of these technologies on day-to-day energy consumption. We see this as building the foundation of an ongoing relationship with Mirvac to enhance clean energy standards in the residential housing sector.”

The CEFC is an active investor in energy efficiency and low emissions projects across the built environment, financing market-leading projects including commercial office precincts, health facilities, shopping centres and community housing. The CEFC finance for the Mirvac developments is part of its Sustainable Cities Investment Program, which is aiming to invest $1 billion into clean energy initiatives in Australian cities over 10 years.

*The CEFC finance was repaid in December 2019.

ABOUT MIRVAC 

Mirvac is a leading, integrated urban property group, principally located in Australia’s four key cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Mirvac owns and manages assets across the office, industrial and retail sectors, with approximately $17bn of assets currently under management.  Established in 1972, Mirvac has 45 years of experience in the property industry and an unmatched reputation for delivering superior products and services across its businesses.