Victoria’s water sector is the first in the country to commit to net-zero by 2035, reducing the industry’s annual emissions by almost 900,000t per year – a figure which is equivalent to the annual emissions produced by more than 250,000 cars on Victoria’s roads.
Victorian Minister for Water, Harriet Shing, inspected a new solar array at Central Highlands Water’s Ballarat South Treatment Plant to officially announce the Statement of Obligations, locking all 18 water corporations into reaching net-zero by 2035.
The new obligations will support the Victorian Government’s target of halving emissions by 2030 and net-zero emission by 2050.
“Our water sector is setting the pace on emissions reductions – showing consumers and industry that we can tackle climate change and boost renewable energy use as our population grows,” Ms Shing said.
Victoria’s water corporations are already working on changing emission-intensive operations to utilise the renewable energy they generate – keeping water bills low for Victorians.
The obligations require the sector to reduce its collective emissions by 42 per cent and source 100 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Action, Lily D’Ambrosio, said, “Renewable energy is key to meeting Victoria’s ambitious 2030 target of reducing our emissions by 50 per cent, and it’s important essential services like water can harness this reliable and affordable new energy technology.”
Central Highlands Water has installed more than 6,336 solar panels, which power almost half its energy needs at across four water and wastewater plants – saving up to 3,745tof emissions annually.
Other projects include:
- Barwon Water’s Colac Renewable Organics Network
- Yarra Valley Water’s Waste to Energy facility in Wollert
- Wannon Water’s 800KW wind turbine – producing clean renewable energy for two years
The sector is also exploring the use of sustainable recycled water sources for renewable hydrogen production and capturing more biogas from sewage treatment.
According to Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle, local water corporations play a big role in regional communities.
“Their investment in renewables will lead by example for other local businesses and ensure they can continue to support jobs and a healthy environment,” Ms Settle said.
