Melbourne Water has developed a Path to Net Zero strategy in a bid to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and address the challenges of climate change.
The Path to Net Zero outlines how the company is taking action to protect Melbourne’s precious water resources and infrastructure from the effects of climate change.
Melbourne Water Managing Director, Michael Wandmaker, said Melbourne Water has pledged to halve its emissions by 2025 and explore a path to reduce them to net zero by 2030.
“We have already implemented exciting technology and actions to help meet our targets – with future innovative projects slated and underway to bring us closer to net zero by 2030,” Mr Wandmaker said.
One example is the current construction of a new mini-hydro electricity plant at Melbourne Water’s St Albans Reservoir site.
Once complete, the 400kW plant will convert energy from the pressure and flow of water going into the reservoir to generate electricity. This electricity will then be fed back into the power grid and used to reduce the utility’s operating costs.
Two more mini-hydro plants are scheduled to be built by 2024.
“We are also creating additional biogas generating capacity at the Western Treatment Plant which will boost its renewable electricity generation and will at times provide excess energy that can be returned to the power grid,” Mr Wandmaker said.
“Building on-site solar farms at the Eastern Treatment Plant in Bangholme and Winneke Treatment Plant to boost our renewable energy production are among other projects to help meet our targets.”
Other initiatives include transitioning to a fully electric car fleet, biogas capture at Eastern Treatment Plant and a Six Star Green rating of Melbourne Water’s Docklands headquarters.
Melbourne Water said it is listening to and responding to the expectations of its customers and community, dedicating a world-class team of future-focused engineers, scientists and researchers working to help achieve the goal.
The company acknowledged that the work it does over the next decade is essential to ensure a secure water supply, healthy waterways, and a reliable sewerage system and drainage network.
“By reducing our greenhouse gas impacts and generating more renewable energy, we are doing our bit to preserve Melbourne’s liveability. This will be our legacy for our great city for generations to come,” Mr Wandmaker said.
“This is at the heart of our Path to Net Zero by 2030.”
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