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Artists impressions of the state-of-the-art PV array at The Wharf ... images courtesy The Government Architect's Office.

Greening The Wharf*

Artistic Directors Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett this week welcomed Peter Garrett, Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, and Penny Wong, Federal Minister for Climate Change, to Sydney Theatre Company, where they announced a major commitment of $1.2 million through the Commonwealth Government’s Green Precincts Fund.

This contribution will, along with major philanthropic support, assist the company’s Greening The Wharf project to transform The Wharf, its much-loved home on Sydney Harbour, into a unique demonstration of how buildings, even heritage-listed ones, can be made more sustainable.

This groundbreaking project, which will deliver the majority of Sydney Theatre Company’s energy and water requirements from sustainable sources, is believed to be a first for any theatre company in the world in its scale and comprehensive approach to sustainability.

It was also announced that, as a crucial component of Greening The Wharf, an extraordinary philanthropic donation of $2 million will be made by the family foundation of Dr Zhengrong and Mrs Vivienne Shi to help fund the largest-capacity solar array mounted on a building in Australia.

The solar array will be erected on the roof of The Wharf which, along with energy saving measures will reduce Sydney Theatre Company’s power drawn from the grid by up to 70 per cent, and represents a unique partnership between STC and the University of NSW’s School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering.

The installation of the 2000 solar panels, working in harmony with a major heritage-listed building, will provide a high-profile showcase for UNSW’s world-leading photovoltaics research and development.

Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett said: “There is an arts precinct beginning to emerge on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour and The Wharf is perfectly placed within it to help make it the first green arts precinct in the world.

“Climate change is the most pressing challenge facing the human race today. One of the roles of art is to imagine the future. To do this effectively it must be both visionary and practical.

“We believe Greening The Wharf not only delivers enormous practical outcomes for Sydney Theatre Company but offers a vision of how we might all creatively embrace the challenge and opportunities that Climate Change presents.”

David Gonski, Chancellor of UNSW said: “I am delighted that UNSW is part of this exciting project, and I congratulate the Sydney Theatre Company on a wonderful initiative. It is not only a great example of corporate leadership — it is also means that world leading solar cell technology, jointly developed by UNSW and Suntech Power, is showcased in the heart of Sydney.

“I want to particularly acknowledge Dr Zhengrong Shi, and his wife Vivienne, who have been so generous in their support — a demonstration of their commitment to a sustainable future and the importance of the Greening The Wharf initiative.”

Dr Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s Chairman and CEO, said: “It is a pleasure to support one of the cultural centerpieces of Sydney to reduce its carbon footprint through these sustainability initiatives. I hope that this project increases the awareness of climate change and demonstrates the huge role that solar can play in mitigating carbon emissions in Australia today.”

The three key initiatives that form the heart of Greening the Wharf are: the installation of the state-of-the-art PV array; the introduction of extensive energy efficiency measures; and the introduction of an innovative rainwater harvesting, storage and reticulation system which will supply 100 per cent of the company’s nonpotable water requirements.

Over the next 25 years, it is estimated that the Greening The Wharf project will deliver water savings of 37.5 million litres, 5000MWh in energy savings, and 10,350 MWh of power generated via the PV array.

Greening The Wharf is funded by a unique private and public partnership involving private philanthropy, corporate support and government funding. In addition to the Green Precincts Fund support ($1.2 million) and the donation from the Shi’s Family Charitable Foundation ($2 million), three private gifts from individuals, Cameron O’Reilly, Peter Hall and David Paradice, bring a further $500,000 towards total projected costs of $5.4 million. Sydney Theatre Company will continue to seek corporate, philanthropic and government partners to complete the funding for the full Greening The Wharf program while it moves ahead with the first phase of the works.

*Based on media release issued by Sydney Theatre Company.