Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) is making significant strides in promoting environmental sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint through the implementation of energy efficiency initiatives. Spearheading these efforts is Anna Jamison, Sustainability Projects Manager at NSLHD.

In 2024, NSLHD has achieved remarkable progress in harnessing clean, renewable power, with key statistics highlighting the district’s commitment to sustainability. Currently, NSLHD boasts a combined solar photovoltaic (PV) system size of 1.3 MWp, and the combined solar production from January to April 2024 amounted to 457.43 MWh.

Looking ahead, NSLHD has ambitious plans to further enhance its energy efficiency initiatives through upcoming projects. These include the installation of solar PV at Dalwood Child and Family Health Centre to be completed by the end of June 2024, planning for solar expansion at Mona Vale Hospital and the continuation of district LED lighting upgrades in the next financial year.

“Since 2020, the district has been at the forefront of harnessing clean, renewable power at multiple sites, aiming to reduce reliance on grid electricity as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Solar PV systems have been successfully installed at various NSLHD sites, including Hornsby Ku-ring-gai, Royal North Shore, and Mona Vale hospitals, Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice and Brookvale Community Health Centre,” said Anna.

In 2023 alone, the combined solar production at these sites exceeded 1.3 GWh, resulting in cost savings of over $250,000 and a carbon saving of 1,027,000 kg CO2 for the year. 

“Implementing strategies to promote both environmental and financial sustainability within the organisation is one of my favourite aspects of my role. Working alongside staff from all across the district to achieve a shared goal is truly rewarding,” 

NSLHD aims to increase on-site solar production by an additional 2.3 MWp by 2035 and improve energy efficiency of buildings to progress towards a 30 per cent reduction in energy consumption by 2030. This includes our LED upgrades, electrification of assets and phase out of high GWP refrigerants - a focus in the new Planetary Health Framework.