Media Release

12 Nov 2007

Renewable energy projects on public display

A Review of Environmental Factors for eight renewable energy plants is now on public display.

The community is invited to make comments on the proposal.

Managing Director Kerry Schott said the $45 million program is a major plank in Sydney Water’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2020.

“This is landmark commitment,” Dr Schott said.

“Sydney Water is one of the largest energy users in NSW, using just less than one per cent of all energy consumed in the state.

“By eliminating our environmental footprint, we will be making a major contribution to protecting the environment.

“Sydney Water will install cogeneration plants at its sewage treatment plants in Bondi, Glenfield, Liverpool, Warriewood and Wollongong,” Dr Schott said.

“State-of-the-art combustion technology will convert biogas, a product of the wastewater treatment process, into electricity in much the same way as occurs in a car.

“We are also installing hydro-electric generators at the North Head Sewage Treatment Plant, Woronora Water Filtration Plant, and on the Warragamba to Prospect Reservoir Pipeline. The generator at North Head will capture energy from the flows down a 60-metre shaft.

“Sydney Water is already using innovative technologies to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel. It has produced green energy since 1999, from cogeneration facilities at Malabar and Cronulla Sewage Treatment Plants.

“The plants have produced over 100,000 megawatt hours of electricity since this time, preventing over 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases entering the environment.

“This year we installed another cogeneration plant at North Head Sewage Treatment Plant. This will be operating in the near future.

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

“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.

The desalination plant being constructed at Kurnell will also be powered 100 per cent by renewable energy.

The community is invited to submit written comments on the proposals until 21 November 2007.

Sydney Water will be displaying the REF at the following locations:

Sydney Water City Customer Centre,
Ground Floor, 115-123 Bathurst Street, Sydney
Open Mon-Fri 8.30am - 5pm

Sydney Water Wollongong Customer Centre,
120 Smith Street, Wollongong
Open Mon-Fri 8.00am - 5.00pm

Wollongong Council, Council’s Administration Building,
Level 5, 41 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Open Mon-Fri 9am - 5.00pm

Liverpool Council, Administration Centre,
1 Hoxton Park Road, Liverpool
Open Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm

Fairfield Council, Customer Service Centre,
36 Ware Street, Fairfield
Open Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm

Manly Council, Council Chambers,
1 Belgrave Street, Manly
Open Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm

Pittwater Council, Mona Vale Customer Service Centre,
1 Park St Mona Vale
Open Monday - Thursday 8am - 5.30pm and Friday 8am to 5pm

Sutherland Shire Council Chambers,
4 - 20 Eton Street, Sutherland
Open Monday - Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm

Campbelltown Council,
Corner Queen & Broughton Streets Campbelltown
Open Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm

Waverly Council,
55 Spring St, Bondi Junction
Open Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm

For more information, go to the energy management pages of the website.

 

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