Blacktown City Council, Cricket for Climate and Origin Energy have partnered to create Australia's first connected energy ecosystem across multiple sports facilities, including Blacktown International Sports Park, a major venue for cricket, AFL and other sports. Power Up Play is being co-funded by the Australian Government's Community Energy Upgrade Fund.
Power Up Play is a groundbreaking partnership in Australia's fastest growing local government area which implements behind-the-meter solar, battery, and LED technology, supported by front-of-meter community batteries. This initiative sets a national standard for sustainable sporting precincts, delivering energy and emissions savings, improved flexibility, site resilience as well as potential revenue. It will also lower energy costs for the community and clubs, support education, and create job and apprenticeship opportunities.
"We've been working with clubs through Cricket for Climate to cut power bills and reduce emissions. Power Up Play is the next step. Origin and Blacktown City Council are helping us connect venues together, so the benefits reach the whole community, not just individual clubs. It's practical, it works, and it sets a blueprint for other communities to follow," Cricket for Climate Founder and Australian international test cricket captain, Pat Cummins, said.
Cricket for Climate CEO Joanne Bowen said that cricket and other sports at all levels are increasingly affected by increased energy costs and climate change, with extreme weather days leading to cancellations, postponements or the need to adapt games to cooler parts of the day to support player and fan health and wellbeing. Sporting venues are part of the solutions as they provide critical infrastructure for clean energy solutions that support community benefit and savings too. It's a win-win for clubs and the community.
"Power Up Play is an exciting partnership with Blacktown City Council and Origin, a bold play towards cleaner, community-powered sport. By connecting cricket clubs and major venues through shared clean energy and community batteries, we're not just powering games, we're powering the Blacktown community. Blacktown is growing fast and facing real climate challenges, so working alongside partners who care deeply about making a difference here is meaningful and inspiring," Bowen said.
Sports clubs around the country are struggling to make ends meet because of increased annual running costs and harnessing renewable energy can help fortify them against rising overheads and other climate solutions such as drainage upgrades and weather stations can make the clubs more resilient and safer.
"As part of our ambition to lead the energy transition, Origin is proud to be partnering with Blacktown City Council and Cricket for Climate on Power Up Play. The solar, batteries and smart energy management we will be installing and providing for local facilities will help reduce emissions, lower energy costs and open up new revenue streams, which will benefit local clubs and the local community," said Origin Zero's Segment Lead, Services & Infrastructure, Katie Wood.
Community sport is the heartbeat of Australia and clubs are ensuring their futures by investing in solutions that lead in the shift to renewable energy and inspire wider community action.
Brad Bunting, Mayor of Blacktown City said, "With 450,000 residents, the largest council in NSW, we are very serious about climate and energy solutions. Blacktown City was first certified carbon-neutral for our operations in 2020/21 and we continue to work towards a community-wide net-zero emissions target with practical action. With projects like Power Up Play we are preparing our city for the future by cutting costs, reducing emissions, building resilience and delivering community benefits. I couldn't be prouder of what this means for our city and for local sport."
Blacktown is the home of Sydney Big Bash team Sydney Thunder which will be one of the clubs to benefit from the upgrades.
"Blacktown is in the heart of our Thunder Nation, and we see firsthand how important local cricket is here. Power Up Play means cleaner, cheaper energy for local venues and clubs - benefits that last long after match days. When communities invest in this kind of infrastructure, it strengthens cricket at every level," said Sydney Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland.
