Gippsland › Latest news › East Gippsland Water
New solar panels at Paynesville water recycling facility will produce 150 MWh for East Gippsland reducing emissions and cutting costs
East Gippsland Water installed 200 solar panels at their water recycling facility, expected to produce 150 MWh of power and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as part of their program to reduce emissions and operational costs.
East Gippsland Water is about to switch on 200 new solar panels at their Paynesville water recycling facility - to offset the site's energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For the $240,000 project, five banks of 40 solar panels each have been installed - which together span an area of 1,250 square metres. It is calculated that this solar array will produce up to 150 megawatt hours of power a year.
Since January 2021, East Gippsland Water has been able to reduce costs by purchasing solar power at a cheaper rate
Emission reduction initiative
It will be used to run the Paynesville facility's aerators and irrigation pumps - which are integral to the recycling process. Any surplus electricity generated will be fed back into the grid. Importantly, it is expected to reduce East Gippsland Water's overall greenhouse gas emissions by up to 130 tonnes a year.
East Gippsland Water's Managing Director, Steve McKenzie, said, "This is just one project in a raft of initiatives being implemented under a major program to help us meet our organisation's target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44 per cent by 1 July 2025. Even more important, we have a commitment to achieve zero net emissions by 2035. "This is a win-win situation, benefiting the environment and reducing our operating costs."
Solar initiative progress
Looking at solar alone East Gippsland Water has commissioned a total of 366 kilowatts of solar systems across 19 sites in recent years. In addition, the organisation is in an energy partnership with 12 other Victorian water corporations to collectively purchase solar power from the Kiamal Solar Farm in north-west Victoria.
This initiative went live in January 2021 and continues to be significant in East Gippsland Water's drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce operational costs - by enabling the purchase of solar power at a cheaper rate.
Pictures from East Gippsland Water website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Baw Baw Shire Council welcomes Victorian government grants aiding Noojee transition from timber harvestingDarren Chester calls for stop to rural health merger citing risks to Gippsland services due to lack of consultation, secrecy and autonomy loss
Nicholson Primary School students get chance to discuss Parliament while receiving certificates from Darren Chester
Russell Broadbent urges government budget accountability to alleviate cost-of-living pressure to tackle inflation and alleviate cost-of-living pressures following the Reserve Bank decision
Senators to reject Fresh food tax after report reveals lack of clarity and adverse impact on farmers and families
Baw Baw Shire Council continues advocacy for key unfunded projects despite limited aid from 2024/25 Victorian State Budget
APS Drainage and Civil selected for culvert relining on Loch-Kernot Road in Bass Coast Shire from 13 May 2024 with $750,000 budget
Feedback wanted on draft Master Plan for Alex Goudie Native Park in Drouin by 2 June 2024
Community feedback wanted on new policy for celebrating significant dates in Baw Baw Shire by 31 May 2024
Box Hill Hawks and Bass Coast Shire Council announce free VFLW/VFL double-header in Wonthaggi on 12 May 2024