The Victorian Government has announced two Renewable Organics Networks projects to reduce waste going to landfill by using organic waste to produce electricity.
The networks will transform organic municipal and trade organic waste into renewable energy and by-products, such as soil enhancers, for agricultural purposes.
With a facility being built at the Colac Water Reclamation Plant and another under development for the greater Geelong area, the projects will create more than 80 new jobs across the construction and ongoing facility management stages.
The projects, to be delivered by Barwon Water, will create a circular economy for the region’s organic waste, reduce landfill costs for councils and reduce water infrastructure energy costs for Barwon Water customers.
Construction for the Colac network, which received $240,000 in 2018, is already underway. Once complete, the project is expected to generate enough energy to power more than 1,000 homes, thanks to high-strength organic waste from the Australian Lamb Company and Bulla Dairy Foods.
The Colac site will share energy back to Australian Lamb Company as hot water and produce enough electricity to take Barwon Water’s Colac wastewater treatment plant off the grid.
Work is also underway to investigate options to build a similar facility by the end of 2023 for the greater Geelong region to process organic waste collected by local councils.
Barwon Water is delivering the project in partnership with the five Geelong Region Alliance (G21) councils, the Australian Lamb Company and Bulla Dairy Foods.
“We know the impact climate change is having on inflows to our water storages and the health of our waterways,” says Lisa Neville, Victoria’s Minister for Water. “It’s never been more important to deliver creative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio says “this project not only reduces waste going to landfill but also boosts Victoria’s renewable energy capacity – creating jobs, reducing emissions and driving down energy prices.”