Page 10 - Climate Control News November 2021

News
Landmark
energy deal for
WA councils
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN Local Government Association (WALGA) has announced a land- mark deal that could see 51 councils make the switch to 100 per cent renewable energy.
Councils have until 18 November to formal- ise their participation in the project, which would make it the largest of its kind undertak- en in Australia.
WALGA president, Tracey Roberts, said the agreement would deliver both the option for 100 per cent renewable energy for the sector’s con- testable supply and savings of up to $5 million.
Mayor Roberts said WALGA had worked on developing the agreement with a steering group comprising senior representatives from a number of local governments.
“The enthusiasm for this project in the sec- tor and the terms that have been achieved for the community are outstanding,” Roberts said.
“There is a genuine appetite in the local gov- ernment sector to lead the way on zero emis- sions and the shift to renewable energy is a gi- ant step in the right direction.”
Councils will access the renewable energy supply from three WA wind farms at Albany, Emu Downs and Collgar wind farm.
“Sourcing renewable energy from WA provid- ers was a strong requirement of the sector and further supports the direct benefit to the commu- nity in supporting local industry,” Roberts said.
CITIES POWER PARTNERSHIP applauded the agreement which will be Australia’s largest ever local government collaboration to pur- chase clean energy.
Cities Power Partnership director, Dr Portia Odell said the potential for cities and regions to pool their resources and invest in afforda- ble, reliable clean energy was enormous.
“In July, we saw a staggering 46 Victorian coun- cils partner up to pool their electricity contracts and switch to renewable energy,” Odell said.
“Forty-five per cent of all Victorian council electricity is now powered by renewable wind energy.”
L-R: WALGA president, Tracey Roberts. Cities Power Partnership director, Dr Portia Odell.
ebm-papst expands global manufacturing
GERMAN FAN MANUFACTURER, ebm- papst, has commenced construction of a new production plant in Telford, Tennessee in the United States.
It is 20 minutes away from their current US loca- tion in Johnson City. The company is investing around $US15 million dollars for the new building.
This is the second plant to be constructed by ebm-papst after the company acquired 30 acres of land in 2019.
ebm-papst already has a long tradition in
the American market. Since 1980, the compa- ny has been developing, producing, and selling fans and motors for the North American mar- ket from its Farmington (Connecticut) head- quarters, where the company employs over 300 people.
The company’s US managing director, Mark Shiring, said the expanded facilities were in re- sponse to market growth in North America.
He said the expansion will also guarantee fast- er delivery times.
A-Gas appoints CEO
CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU
A-GAS HAS ANNOUNCED the appoint- ment of Jack Govers as chief executive officer ef- fective immediately.
To pursue an ambitious growth agenda, the company said it is continuing to invest in its peo- ple, processes, innovation and technology to ex- pand its service offering and drive towards its sustainability pledge of becoming a net zero company by the year 2035.
After an extensive global search, Jack Govers has been appointed as the new CEO to lead and deliver A-Gas’ plans for further growth, sustain- ability and operational business excellence.
Commenting on his appointment, Govers said: “I am joining A-Gas at an exciting time for the business as it continues on its environ- mental journey and plans for growth into new markets and regions. The company has built an outstanding reputation for almost 30 years
RIGHT: A-Gas CEO, Jack Govers.
and I look forward to being a part of what is to come.”
Govers brings a
wealth of leadership experience and accom- plishments from previous assignments at GE, SABIC, Aleris and Novelis where he has delivered exceptional growth, introduced circular economy initiatives and worked closely with private equity investors.
Govers will replace Andrew Ambrose who has been CEO of the business for more than seven years.
Ambrose will be moving into the role of execu- tive chair, which will allow him to work on the global leadership team on a full-time basis. ✺
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