The size, spread and diversity of the Defence Estate provides...

The size, spread and diversity of the Defence Estate provides significant opportunities for Defence to cost effectively produce energy from solar, wind, geothermal, wave and waste resources. Defence has already begun to harness these renewable resources at its facilities, with solar photovoltaic systems and solar hot water systems installed on some buildings and site scale solar generation at some remote locations with limited access to a reliable grid supply.
The Using Energy from Renewable and Alternative Sources theme seeks to identify how Defence can expand its renewable energy program and increase the proportion of electricity and fuel sourced from on-site, non-fossil reliant resources, where this provides value for money.

The theme identifies opportunities for Defence to further develop the renewable resources it manages by expanding renewable generation at remote sites and progressing larger scale renewable energy projects at higher demand facilities.
As noted in Chapter 1, the business of energy generation does not align with Defence’s core role; however improving energy security by diversifying supply from renewable and alternative sources can support and enhance Defence capability.
Conversely, capital budgets are constrained and funding for renewable projects could be difficult to secure.

Accordingly, Defence may progress renewable energy schemes through a private sector partner with specialist skills and experience in the relevant technology.
Defence plans to investigate the viability of entering into a long term power purchase agreement (PPA) with a private sector partner, thereby providing them with the financial security needed to back the capital investment required.

The advantages for Defence in developing renewable projects through a partnership are:
• cost savings, particularly at locations with high demand or distribution charges
• energy security at sites subject to power interruptions.

The strategic goals for this theme aim to increase the proportion of energy that Defence secures from renewable sources.