Media Release

15 Oct 2007

Renewable energy request for proposals

Ensuring Sydney’s desalination plant is 100 per cent powered by green energy is one step closer with Sydney Water today issuing a Request For Proposals to the renewable energy sector.

Sydney Water will fully power the desalination plant with renewable energy and is leading the way in responsible energy practices.

The desalination plant energy contract will provide a significant boost to the renewable energy market.

We may also see more innovative technologies come out of Sydney Water’s investment in renewable energy.

Not only will the desalination plant be powered entirely with renewable energy, but Sydney Water has committed to being carbon neutral by 2020.

To hit this demanding target, Sydney Water is generating its own renewable energy. Over the next two years it will install additional hydro and cogeneration plants at sewage treatment plants and in water pipelines across Sydney and Wollongong.

By 2009, the amount of energy being produced by Sydney Water’s renewable energy projects will account for about 20 per cent of its total energy needs, excluding desalination.

With these projects and by reducing our energy demands, we are on track to be carbon neutral by 2020.

Ultimately Sydney Water will eliminate or offset over 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year – equivalent to taking 100,000 cars off the road.

Sydney Water will be inviting submissions to its Request for Proposals to the end of October 2007. Following this, a detailed tender will be issued in November 2007, with a contract expected to be signed in early 2008.

 

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