Queensland hospitals producing clean energy as well as clean linen

Published Wednesday, 11 April, 2018 at 12:56 PM

Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services
The Honourable Steven Miles

Queensland Health laundries will drive down their energy bills by $200,000 thanks to new solar panels.

Group Linen Services is a specialist healthcare laundry and linen hire business owned by Queensland Health with laundries based in Wide Bay, at the Prince Charles Hospital and the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles visited the large-scale laundry in Maryborough today.

“I’m pleased to announce that Planet Ark Power has been awarded the contract and will install solar panels at all GSL laundries – including here in Maryborough,” Mr Miles said.

“Between them, these facilities produce more than 330 tonnes of clean linen each week so there is a strong desire to find ways to lower their energy costs and reduce their carbon footprints."

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said GSL is working on a range of energy-saving measures at their production facilities across south-east Queensland, including in Maryborough.

“It’s great to see another Maryborough business install solar panels and do their part to be more energy efficient,” Mr Saunders said.

“Once these initiatives are in place, GLS expects energy savings in the vicinity of $200,000 a year.

“This is just one of the many initiatives the Queensland Government has in place that will help meet our commitment of making all government-owned buildings carbon-neutral by 2020.”

Minister Miles said GLS asked for solutions not only to produce electricity but also to reduce consumption demand within their facilities.

“GLS’s energy consumption period is between 6am and 6pm on weekdays," Mr Miles said.

“Because they operate only during daylight hours, the solar application will achieve maximum efficiency returns.”

A contract to install and maintain energy-efficient products was awarded to GoZero Energy Pty Ltd trading as Planet Ark Power, last month (13 March 2018).

ENDS

Media contact:               Katharine Wright – 0428 957 903