ICC Sydney’s expanded solar installation will cover more than 18,400sqm, which is capable of generating 2.6GWh of electricity annually.
The Southern Hemisphere’s largest solar farm in a central business district is set to take shape at ICC Sydney.
The convention centre in Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) has announced plans to expand its rooftop solar network across its Convention Centre, Exhibition Centre and Entertainment Centre at Darling Harbour.
The expanded installation will cover more than 18,400sqm and is expected to generate 2.6GWh of electricity annually – which the NSW government estimates would be enough to power 300 to 400 average Australian homes for a year.
The additional generation will allow ICC Sydney to operate on 100% renewable electricity through a combination of rooftop solar and renewable energy procurement.
Based on annual solar generation, ICC Sydney is expected to become the fourth-largest solar-powered convention centre in the world and the largest outside the US.
The project is forecast to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1,800 to 2,000 tonnes a year.
ICC Sydney CEO Adam Mather-Brown said: “As international event organisers increasingly prioritise sustainability in venue selection, this project further strengthens ICC Sydney's [competitive] position.”
The project is being delivered by the NSW Government-owned ICC Sydney as part of its broader sustainability efforts.