SBS to become Australia's first completely renewable media company
ZEN Energy will supply SBS's NSW and Victoria-based operations with 100% renewable energy over the next 10 years.
SBS has committed to a 10-year renewable energy power purchase agreement with ZEN Energy.
ZEN Energy will supply SBS's New South Wales and Victoria-based operations with 100% renewable energy over the next 10 years with Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) paired with the 226.8MW Collector Wind Farm in NSW.
SBS has set the target of reaching Net Zero across scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 2045.
SBS' chief financial officer, Nitsa Niarchos said: "SBS is proud to lead the way in the media industry by committing to 100% renewable energy. Our partnership with ZEN Energy underscores our commitment to sustainability and sets a new standard for reducing carbon emissions in media. Our goal is to inspire others in the industry to take meaningful steps towards a greener future."
The media company has also partnered with Scope3 to measure emissions from advertising technology, affording advertising clients greater transparency of carbon emissions from their advertising campaigns.
The Collector Wind Farm commenced operations in 2022 and consists of 54 turbines collectively producing 528GWh each year, capable of powering 80,000 NSW homes and saving close to 320,000 tonnes of CO2 emission each year. The wind farm project has also involved a community benefit-sharing scheme.
SBS' head of sustainability, Abigail Thomas said: "This 10-year agreement with ZEN Energy through wind power ensures that SBS's commitment to carbon reduction is not just a short-term initiative but a long-term strategy.
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"By securing a decade of 100% renewable energy, we are taking significant steps towards our Net Zero targets and demonstrating our dedication to sustainability efforts and innovation in Australia’s media sector."
SBS' director of media sales Adam Sadler resigned this week and will step down after six and a half years in the role.
Jane Palfreyman, SBS’ chief marketing and commercial officer, will assume temporary leadership of SBS Media over the coming months, while the company goes through a process to recruit a new director of media sales.
