Australia's first all-electric hospital building, the new critical services building of the Canberra Hospital Expansion, aims to achieve a five-star Green Star rating.

The formal submission has been made for an upgraded five-star accreditation to the Green Building Council of Australia.

The critical services building has received the first of 21 large heat pumps, which are said to be one of the fundamental features of the new building.

With a focus on environmentally sustainable design, the building will mitigate carbon emissions.

Key features include a high-performing façade, energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and cooling systems, and a comprehensive Building Management and Control system.

The project aligns with the ACT's Climate Change Strategy and the government's target for a zero-emissions health sector by 2040.

The construction process also prioritised sustainability such as salvaging materials during demolition and using low-carbon concrete.

The use of electric cranes also helped reduce pollution and noise.

Canberra Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said: “The critical services building will be Australia’s first all-electric major hospital building and when it opens next year, mitigating the release of an estimated 1,886t of carbon emissions each year, the equivalent of removing 760 cars from Canberra’s roads.

“We are building on that momentum by targeting a five-star Green Star rating for the new critical services building.”