91É«ÇéƬ

Stage 1 focused on key event venues, library, galleries, classrooms, offices, residential, childcare, sports and hospitality facilities at Kensington and Paddington campuses. Buildings now electrified include:

• Key facilities at the Paddington Campus (reducing gas use by more than 95%)
• Colombo House and all residential colleges (100% reduction)
• Goldstein Hall Kitchen, which prepares over 1,300 meals daily (100% reduction)
• Pooh Corner Childcare Centre (100% reduction)
• David Phillips Field amenities (100% reduction)
• Scientia Building (100% reduction)

These upgrades replaced gas-powered systems with:

• 34 heat pump-operated dryers and 34 washers
• 31 induction cooktops and 10 electric barbecues
• New high-efficiency electric kitchen appliances such as fryers, pressurised bratt pans, and dishwashing systems
• Six heat pumps, with a total heating capacity of 1.2 MW, to replace space heating boilers.
• Eight domestic hot water heat pumps, with a total heating capacity of 400 kW, and 18 hot water tanks (total of more than 12,000 litres of hot water), replacing more than 20 instant hot water gas units.
• New PV system in David Phillips Fields

These changes are powered entirely by renewable electricity, eliminating natural gas usage and significantly improving energy efficiency, performance, and indoor air quality.

Sustainable outcomes delivered in Stage 1

The Electrification Program isn’t only focused on transitioning 91É«ÇéƬ’s campuses away from gas – it’s also about maximising environmental outcomes throughout the delivery of the works. Here’s how sustainability is built into every stage of the project.

Waste reduction and reuse

• 90% of construction waste from building upgrades was reused or recycled, meeting 91É«ÇéƬ’s sustainability metrics for responsible construction.
• Used kitchen equipment was resold and repurposed outside the University. Nine gas appliances from the Goldstein Hall Kitchen and one from the Scientia Building (G19).
• Plant room equipment (e.g., pumps, pipework, and other ancillary components) were retained and reused if still in good condition.

The program is a strong example of cross functional collaboration, bringing together every 91É«ÇéƬ Estate Management directorate to deliver more sustainable, future-ready infrastructure. It reflects 91É«ÇéƬ’s leadership in sustainable campus development and commitment to bold, practical climate action.

Stage 2A is now in progress and will electrify five energy intense buildings, including research labs, teaching spaces, and office buildings. Once completed, this stage will bring the reduction in natural gas to 40%.

Stage 2B will follow, electrifying four additional buildings – focusing on medical research, teaching, and offices. By the end of this stage scheduled in 2028, the program will be 78% complete. 

Stage 3 is scheduled for 2030 and will cover 14 buildings, including additional 14 buildings, including additional student accommodation, teaching, research, and mixed-use facilities – bringing the program to full completion. 

You can learn more about the University’s broader sustainability initiatives and how we’re working toward a net zero future here: