Media Release

30 Jan 2008

Tenders called for Desalination renewable energy contract

Tender documents to supply renewable energy for Sydney’s desalination plant at Kurnell have been issued to six short-listed organisations.

Sydney’s desalination plant will be 100 per cent powered by accredited renewable energy. The initial proposals from all six shortlisted companies involved new or existing wind farms connected to the National Electricity Market.

Late last year, Sydney Water short-listed six companies to supply renewable energy to power the plant, and has now issued the formal Request for Tender documents.

The six companies are Renewable Power Ventures, Epuron, International Power, Origin Energy, Pacific Hydro, and Roaring 40s.

These companies successfully addressed key criteria in our initial request for proposals and all are able to provide clean, renewable energy from a dedicated source.

Sydney Water will purchase electricity from wind power and Renewable Energy Certificates from the successful company.

The Renewable Energy Certificates ensure the power has come from an accredited, renewable energy source.

Sydney Water will surrender these certificates to the Renewable Energy Regulator as clear, unequivocal evidence that the desalination plant is 100 per cent powered by renewable energy.

When operating at full capacity, the desalination plant will provide 250 million litres of water a day or about 15 per cent of Sydney’s daily drinking water needs by the summer of 2009-10.

The uncertainty caused by climate change and the growing population makes it essential that non-rainfall dependent sources of water are secured.

A combination of initiatives are needed including recycling, stormwater harvesting, desalination and a range of water saving measures to ensure water supplies.

Tenders will close on Thursday 13 March 2008, and Sydney Water will award the renewable energy contract in May 2008.

 

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