Blacktown City Council, Cricket for Climate and Origin Energy have partnered to create Australia’s first connected energy ecosystem across multiple sports facilities, including Blacktown International Sports Park, a major local venue for cricket, AFL and other sports.
Power Up Play is being co-funded by the Australian Government’s Community Energy Upgrade Fund.
“We’ve been working with clubs through Cricket for Climate to cut power bills and reduce emissions. Power Up Play is the next step,” said Cricket for Climate Founder and Australian international test cricket captain, Pat Cummins (pictured).
“Origin and Blacktown City Council are helping us connect venues together, so the benefits reach the whole community, not just individual clubs. It’s practical, it works, and it sets a blueprint for other communities to follow,” he said.
“Power Up Play is an exciting partnership with Blacktown City Council and Origin, a bold play towards cleaner, community-powered sport. By connecting cricket clubs and major venues through shared clean energy and community batteries, we’re not just powering games, we’re powering the Blacktown community. Blacktown is growing fast and facing real climate challenges, so working alongside partners who care deeply about making a difference here is meaningful and inspiring,” said Cricket for Climate CEO, Joanne Bowen.
Mayor, Brad Bunting said that with 450,000 residents, the Council was very serious about climate and energy solutions.
“Blacktown City was first certified carbon-neutral for our operations in 2020/21 and we continue to work towards a community-wide net-zero emissions target with practical action,” he said.
“With projects like Power Up Play we are preparing our city for the future by cutting costs, reducing emissions, building resilience and delivering community benefits. I couldn’t be prouder of what this means for our city and for local sport.”
Blacktown is the home of Sydney Big Bash team Sydney Thunder, which will be one of the clubs to benefit from the upgrades.
“Blacktown is in the heart of our Thunder Nation, and we see firsthand how important local cricket is here. Power Up Play means cleaner, cheaper energy for local venues and clubs – benefits that last long after match days. When communities invest in this kind of infrastructure, it strengthens cricket at every level,” said Sydney Thunder General Manager, Trent Copeland.
