In collaboration with Schneider Electric and other partners, La Trobe delivered a tailored, multi-campus energy transformation to modernise ageing infrastructure, integrate renewables at scale and improve operational efficiency.
As one of the top 250 universities in the world, La Trobe is leading one of Australia’s most ambitious decarbonisation efforts: a $75 million, 10‑year journey to reach Net Zero by 2029. The initiative spans campuses in Melbourne, regional Victoria and Sydney, with Shepparton becoming the university’s first fully electric campus.
Central to this transformation is the La Trobe Solar Farm project, Victoria’s largest urban solar farm. Enabled by Schneider Electric technology, the 3.5-hectare installation comprises 4,300 solar panels generating 2.9 MW of renewable energy to the university’s operations and is supported by a 2.5 MW / 4.5 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), allowing excess solar energy to be stored while strengthening energy reliability and grid stability.
Schneider Electric’s expertise in sustainable energy systems has enabled the integration of the solar farm and battery energy storage system with La Trobe’s existing infrastructure, improving operational performance while reducing emissions. Medium-voltage upgrades delivered through SF-free SM AirSeT switchgear and digital energy management technologies ensure the solar farm’s power reliability, support Scope 1 decarbonisation objectives, and extend asset lifecycles from 30 to 40 years through a circular, low-toxicity design.
Through Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert, La Trobe now has real-time visibility of energy usage, demand patterns and optimisation opportunities across its campuses, providing the digital backbone for electrification, renewable load balancing and long-term decarbonisation planning.
This digital and physical energy infrastructure underpins a broader, multi-campus transformation, including 76 electric vehicle chargers, extensive electrification upgrades, renewable generation across rooftops and carports, and a campus-wide biodiversity plan, all contributing to La Trobe’s goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2029.
“This project is a true reflection of our continuing partnership with Schneider Electric and our mutual commitment to a more sustainable future for generations to come” said Andrew Jennings, Executive Director, Net Zero, Facilities, Assets and Services at La Trobe University.
“The scale and complexity of this transformation – modernising ageing infrastructure, integrating new renewable systems, and building an industry leading university campus is significant. Schneider Electric’s expertise has ensured we can electrify, digitise and decarbonise our campuses without compromising the experience of our students, staff or researchers.”
“Achieving an 80% emissions reduction is a major milestone, and it sets a strong foundation for the next and most ambitious phase of our Net Zero 2029 journey.”
Further electricity distribution upgrades planned over the next five years will continue to scale La Trobe’s net zero efforts across its campuses.
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