5B reveals clean-tech campus
Published: 15 November 2021
5B clean-tech campus launched to accelerate towards net zero carbon emissions
The 34 Kent Road campus is on track to officially open in December 2021. It will house 5B’s new global headquarters for its rapidly growing and now almost 200 strong team and co-locate a research and development facility, an advanced manufacturing pilot line for 5B’s next generation automated assembly (including to support Sun Cable’s pioneering 20GW Australia-Asia PowerLink project and its plan for Darwin based Maverick assembly) and an outdoor ‘proving ground’ for rapid solar deployment and testing.
5B recognises the magnitude of the mission ahead and promises to “enjoy the ride”, so has also sought to combine more fun and engaging elements such as a cafe, golfing green, customer immersion centre, Ecosystem Partner learning centre and its very own dog park for canine friends. The 5B campus is 300 metres from Mascot train station in the heart of Mascot’s thriving urban commercial hub and emerging clean-tech precinct, within easy reach of the CBD and airport. As part of 5B’s ambition to be B Corporation certified by 2023 the campus will operate using 100 per cent renewable energy (a lot generated on-site) and will encourage the use of public transport, cycling and electric vehicles. The campus’ Scope 1, 2 and 3 CO2 emissions will be measured and principles of sustainable purchasing are being applied in the fitout with an emphasis on construction materials and furnishings that can be reused, recycled and/or refurbished.
5B co-founder and CEO, Chris McGrath, says this will be a hive of innovation to drive 5B into the future. “It is so exciting to be building a world leading renewables business headquartered in Sydney, and to now be ready to create a campus which both represents our vision for the future and gives us critical resources to get there fast. We are doubling down on our commitment to Australian innovation, driving investment in next-generation renewable energy development and creating jobs in cutting-edge fields to help catalyse what we believe will be the next industrial revolution - driven by ultra low cost, abundant clean electricity,” McGrath says. “The 5B campus will be a physical embodiment of the 5B spirit - our passion for innovation, bold vision, and as a powerhouse of positive change in the race to net zero. It will give us the speed of innovation and scaling we need to make our contribution to this generational challenge, and will also allow us to bring into technicolour for our customers, partners, investors, team, broader community and governments, local and abroad, our vision for the future of how fast, low cost and easy deployment of solar power plants should and will be,” McGrath says.
Establishment of the campus would not have been possible without the vision, commitment and collaboration of the property owners and 5B’s internal and external creative and delivery team. Collaborative environment designer Dane Murray of Spaceman and interior designer Richard de Vries of DCI Partnership have been integral to transform the 5B campus into an iconic symbol of 5B’s dedication to design, clean energy and the future of technology.
Property owner Warren Duncan, managing director of Everest Property, said: “We are excited to have 5B occupying 50% of our building as we believe they are a strong covenant. 5B is a dynamic company going places in the renewable energy sector and we see them as a recession-proof type business. We have been working with them over the past four months to develop expansion plans that allow their business to grow and have sufficient office accommodation not only for now, but in the future”. Allen Linz, director of Rebel Property Group said: “We are delighted that 5B has chosen our building as their Australian HQ. It demonstrates the emergence of Mascot as a genuine alternative in the South Sydney office market. 5B has recognised the attraction of Mascot’s emerging and extensive retail offering - supermarkets, childcare, cafes and restaurants - as well as the convenience of being located near a train station connecting seamlessly back to the city, very close to Sydney Airport, and now with a new M8 motorway freeway exit, which connects to the M4 and M5.”
Leasing agent Eugene Evgenikos, managing partner of Stanton Hillier Parker said: “We’re seeing the emergence of Mascot as a technology and innovation hub with dynamic companies such as 5B moving deeper into South Sydney. The future of Mascot as a high-tech creative cluster has really been brought to life by the massive infrastructure investment and the accessibility factors, with Westconnex and the direct train line to the city and the airport. This trend has been recognised by Atlassian Tech Central developer ‘Avenor’ who are working with us to source tenants for a 20,000 sqm proposed commercial tower in Mascot”.
Media contact:
Bernadette Jolley
0404 311 044
bernadette.jolley@5b.co
About 5B
5B is a Sydney-headquartered, clean technology innovator on a mission to accelerate the planet’s transition to fast, easy, ultra-low-cost clean energy by harnessing the full power of the sun. 5B has transformed the delivery of solar projects with its prefabricated, modular, scalable, rapidly-deployable flagship 5B Maverick solar technology. It has a growing base of more than 50 customers served by a global network of 5B Ecosystem Partners.
www.5b.co
Acknowledgement of country
Traditional custodians of the land where the new 5B campus is established in Mascot consisted of Gadigal & Bidjigal people of the Eora Nation. In the spirit of reconciliation, 5B acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout the land we call Australia and their culture, identity, community and connections to land & sea. 5B pays respect to their Elders past, present and future, and extends that respect to all Indigenous peoples globally. 5B endeavours to learn from and build relationships with, along with reciprocate opportunities to, these peoples.