Yarra Valley Water’s $27 million waste to energy facility has opening in Wollert, Victoria, reducing landfill, cutting greenhouse emissions, and producing enough renewable energy to pay for itself.
Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, said, “This project is a great example of our water authorities meeting the challenges of the future, including climate change and population growth – a key objective of our Water for Victoria policy.
“By generating its own energy, rather than being dependent on purchasing energy, the facility will put downwards pressure on water bills for consumers.”
The purpose-built facility converts organic waste such as food scraps, which would otherwise be bound for landfill, into renewable energy.
The amount of energy produced by the new facility is the equivalent of about 25 per cent of Yarra Valley Water’s overall energy requirements.
It’s enough to power the adjacent sewage treatment plant, and export surplus electricity exported to the grid as renewable energy – making the facility not just environmentally sustainable but also commercially viable.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosi, said, “This new renewable energy facility will reduce greenhouse gasses, boost growth and investment in our economy – creating more Victorian jobs.”
