2022 has seen Australian utilities grapple with unprecedented industry challenges. The water and energy sectors are creating new operating models to help reach renewable targets, continuing to implement new digital technologies, and assisting workers in developing new skill sets required.
Utilities are embarking on a clean energy journey through the development of new hydrogen, solar, wind and battery projects, and companies are installing Australian-first assets to produce safe, reliable and affordable energy for both stakeholders and customers. While the water sector is ensuring sustainability and enhanced water management is at the forefront of operations.
Here, Utility Magazine recaps its top five most read news stories of the year.
QLD’s new 10-year energy plan to include world’s largest pumped hydro scheme
Our most read story in 2022 detailed a $62 billion clean energy announcement in Queensland, which included the largest pumped hydro scheme in the world that will provide clean, reliable and affordable renewable energy for half of Queensland’s entire energy needs.
Sydney Water awards contract for advanced water recycling facility
Our second most read story covered the Sydney Water contract for the construction and operation of an advanced wastewater recycling facility in Western Sydney.
Sydney Water awarded the contract for the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Plant (AWRC) to a consortium of John Holland, TRILITY, GHD and Jacobs.
Sydney Water forms new partnership
Readers continued to take interest in Sydney Water news, with the third most read story looking at the utility’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) announcement with Veolia, a leading company in the water, waste and energy sector. This partnership aims to explore innovation opportunities to deliver sustainable and resilient water services for the city.
$58M water contract boosting jobs, manufacturing in WA
The new $58 million Water Corporation contract will see extra-large steel water pipes produced in Western Australia for the first time, supporting local jobs and manufacturing in Kwinana Industrial Area.
The contract with Steel Mains will see 1,600mm diameter water pipes manufactured in Kwinana rather than at their plant in Victoria, mitigating supply chain risks and significant freight costs, while also eliminating the emissions that would be created by transporting the pipe across the country.
Gloucester’s water upgrade halts as contractor goes into liquidation
Our fifth most read story looked at the construction suspended for the Gloucester water supply network, when the head contractor went into liquidation. The head contractor, FB Contracting, went into liquidation in late March 2022 and now has a liquidator appointed.
