Western Australia has over 325,000 strata properties comprising multi-unit dwellings, high rise apartments, townhouses, and units, both new and old.
Despite the magnitude of WA strata properties, renewables; such as solar is surprisingly limited. Statistics show only 9% of strata schemes nationwide have installed solar and the figures are far lower in WA.
So, we must consider why is this the case? Especially when solar take up has boomed in the “green title” residential sector. Over one third of Strata’s suburban neighbours now have solar installed and in 2021/2022 generated approximately 24% of the energy consumed in the south west grid.
Many residential scheme owners may be unaware of their own environmental footprint having never measured their buildings efficiency. But our neighbours in the commercial office space, have had NABERS energy ratings since 2008 which has driven excellent efficiency gains ever since.
The first step to understanding a buildings environmental footprint is being able to accurately measure and account for energy consumption via appropriate sub-metering infrastructure. This is the fundamental tool that can empower the owner to analyse and manage their usage within the areas they can control.
Without appropriate metering, lot owners will see increased costs where EV charging is rolled out unchecked, as the scheme will inherit the electricity bill via their common areas. Most people are not aware that EV’s use as much energy in a day as most Lots will. This
will also directly impact the schemes environmental footprint.
So why does Sustainability matter?
Because we need to take responsibility for the energy we consume!
In July 2022 the Federal Government legislated Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. A 43% reduction, as measured from 2005 levels, by 2030 and net zero by 2050.
Concurrently, the WA government is regulating to shift our generation sources to renewable energy over the next 7 plus years via an Energy Transformation Strategy, which is in full swing, and culminates in the decommissioning of the carbon intensive state-owned Coal generationplant, located in Collie.
The States strategy is to electrify our economy encouraging a monumental shift from the petrol bowser to the power point with EV take up. And the property sector is impacted by the strategy.
Based on current prices, charging an EV with electricity is 1/6th of the cost, compared to filling a car with petrol. This means our privately-owned carparks will need to become the EV charging stations of the future if we are to play our part in the electrification transition. This shift will require preparation, provisioning, planning….and funding.
So, having outlined all of this, shouldn’t we ask ourselves:
“Why is there such limited “take up” of, renewables and environmental ratings by the Strata sector in WA”?
With renewables, is it because we don’t have suitable roof structures and adequate
space?
Potentially, but many schemes have plenty of roof space and carpark shading structures to deploy Solar.
Or does the complexity of strata decisionmaking hinder the approvals process?
Possibly, but there are feasibilities and roadmaps that can simplify decision making with equitable pathways and solutions.
Is it because strata schemes aren’t aware of the benefits derived from measuring building efficiency using environmental ratings such as “NABERS for Apartment Buildings”?
Maybe, but the sector can benefit hugely from committing to measure energy and rate the emissions as a first step to driving reductions.
The trends are showing a growing social conscience regarding our environment and many people want to see more being done, however strata owners possibly don’t understand where to start. We need to start to act now, as the “energy in property” space is about to change significantly over the next 7 years. Largely due to the impacts the Electrical Vehicle “take up” is having on our society.
Change starts with knowledge.
If your scheme wants to better understand sustainability; Energy-Tec can help you with:
The accuracy and condition of your properties metering/sub-metering infrastructure;
The energy rating at your complex; and
Renewable (Solar and Battery) and EV Charging feasibilities and solutions.
We can help inform and support you in making sustainable investments; funded in many cases, with minimal out of pocket expenses.
Contact Energy-Tec to find out more today
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