Howard Smith Wharves, the popular Brisbane riverside precinct, has made significant progress in its sustainability journey with the recent installation of 179kW of rooftop solar panels.
This move is part of Artemus Group’s ambitious plan to transform the precinct into the world’s most sustainable hospitality destination.
The solar installation follows an extensive energy audit and kitchen electrification study conducted by Origin Zero, commissioned by Howard Smith Wharves.
These initiatives are crucial steps towards the precinct’s goal of reducing emissions by 44 per cent by June 2026, compared to 2022 levels.
Luke Fraser, CEO of Artemus Group, highlighted the importance of sustainability in their operations: “These two quick and simple solutions drastically reduce our emissions, so of course we jumped at the opportunity.
“We have the goal of becoming the most sustainable precinct in the world and we’re proud to continue to partner with industry leaders who are supporting us to achieve our goal.”
The energy audit revealed that electricity accounted for 69 per cent of the precinct’s energy consumption but 90 per cent of its emissions, due to the high emissions factor of the Queensland electricity grid.
In response, Howard Smith Wharves implemented rooftop solar and power factor correction, resulting in an immediate 7.2 per cent reduction in supply-side emissions across the precinct’s various facilities.
Liam McWhirter, Origin Zero’s GM Enterprise and Strategic Partners, highlighted the collaborative effort: “We’ve worked closely with Howard Smith Wharves to understand their business needs and identify the right solutions to help achieve their ambitious sustainability goals.”
The precinct has already made significant strides in waste management, diverting 97 per cent of its waste from landfill.
Future plans include replacing gas appliances, implementing chilled water heat recovery, and optimising energy use in areas such as car park ventilation.
As Brisbane continues to grow as a global city, Howard Smith Wharves is setting a new standard in design and sustainability.
This latest initiative not only contributes to the precinct’s environmental goals but also aligns with national emissions reduction targets and Australia’s journey towards net zero by 2050.
