A THIRROUL mental health clinic has jumped on board with surrounding businesses and families on a mission to create one of the country’s first all-electric communities, unveiling a new 81.75-kilowatt solar panel system.

Ramsay Clinic Thirroul has joined Electrify 2515, a community group pursuing a project to fully electrify households in Thirroul, Austinmer, Coledale, Wombarra Scarborough and Clifton, in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. See: Electrify 2515 website.

Director of Ramsay Mental Health, Anne Mortimer, said the system featured 150 solar panels set to power the 43-bed facility. 

The Phillip Street clinic is a 43-bed women’s only mental health service, staffed by medical, allied health and nursing staff and deals with trauma-related disorders through various programs.

“Installing solar panels is great for the environment and creating a more sustainable clinic for the future,” Ms Mortimer said.

“The new solar panel system will save more than 90 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, the equivalent of taking 41 new cars off the road each year.

“We know that healthy people depend on a healthy planet and I’m proud our clinic is taking practical steps to help tackle climate change.”

The clinic also contributing to Ramsay Health Care’s commitment to reducing single-use plastics from landfill.

These activities form part of Ramsay Health Care’s sustainability strategy which focuses on creating stronger communities, healthier people and a thriving planet.

Ramsay Health Care said it’s committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Ramsay’s Net Zero strategies included switching to renewable energy sources and maximising energy efficiency, reducing anaesthetic gas emissions, cutting waste and boosting recycling, embedding sustainable design in new facilities and upgrades, as well as engaging with suppliers to reduce supply chain emissions.

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