GreenPower Commitment

GreenPower is a government accreditation program for renewable energy.

The federal government already requires that organisations use a small percentage (2-3 percent) of electricity from renewable energy sources.

However, on November 1 2008 the University of Wollongong increased its purchase of renewable energy to 15%. This means that the University is paying above the normal electricity rate in order to draw 15 per cent of its power needs from renewable energy sources.

Most electricity in Australia is generated by burning coal, which emits greenhouse pollution into the atmosphere, trapping further heat and increasing global temperatures. UOW is currently drawing 15 per cent of its power needs from wind turbine generated renewable energy.

The University's participation in the program has also earned it the right to use the accredited GreenPower logo.