CEFC invests in smart future cities

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has used the Smart Future Cities conference to highlight how the corporation is working to adapt for the future.

Speaking at the conference on Thursday, CEFC CEO and keynote speaker Oliver Yates told attendees that there is a significant opportunity to invest in technologies that will help us live, work and play in cleaner, energy-efficient, connected and productive cities.

“Australia is one of the world’s most urbanised countries, with almost 90% of us living in urban areas,” Yates said. “And why not? Australian cities regularly rank among the most livable in the world.

“To keep us at the forefront of livability, planning and investment is needed now as we transform our cities to a low-carbon future.”

According to Yates, the CEFC is “working to unlock key investment opportunities for smart future cities in transport, clean energy and greener buildings”. Since its inception, he said, the CEFC had made $1.4 billion of investment commitments towards projects with a total value of more than $3.5 billion.

“Australian cities can benefit from a broad range of clean energy technologies, such as LED street lighting, solar PV and battery storage, smarter energy management, waste-to-energy plants and cleaner cars,” Yates said.

“The CEFC’s investment in these areas is helping generate cleaner power, accelerate the take-up of energy-efficient technologies and cut energy costs for businesses, local governments and households.

“We’re providing finance for better buildings, cleaner energy, more efficient vehicles and energy productivity for businesses across the country.”

Yates cited global research which shows investing in public and low-emission transport, building efficiency and waste management in cities could generate worldwide savings of more than $24 trillion by 2050. “This represents a great opportunity for Australian cities,” he said.

The Smart Future Cities conference is running from 1–3 October at Newcastle City Hall.