An Australian first trial has commenced at Sydney Water’s Malabar Wastewater Resource Recovery Plant, which will see renewable biomethane support the energy demands of up to 13,000 homes.
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said the commencement of these works at Sydney Water’s Malabar facility is an exciting and significant milestone that will deliver reliable and cleaner gas to Sydneysiders and help to reduce the carbon footprint of households.
“The Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility will create approximately 95,000 gigajoules of biomethane, from organic material in wastewater, to supply gas to around 6,300 homes by the end of the year, with the capacity to double production by 2030,” Mr Anderson said.
“This five year pilot will put gas directly into the supply network and will also help industries across NSW meet their net-zero emissions targets, with the facility able to turn waste material into a new clean energy source.”
Sydney Water’s General Manager of Asset Lifecycle Paul Plowman said this first of its kind biomethane project, is expected to remove 5,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year – the equivalent of almost 2,000 cars off the road.
“As Greater Sydney grows and the volume through our network increases, innovation-based partnerships will be crucial to unlocking the potential of wastewater to help power Greater Sydney”, Mr Plowman said.
The $16 million project is a joint partnership between the Federal Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), that is providing a $5.9 million grant, the NSW Government, Sydney Water and energy infrastructure company, Jemena.
The project is due to be completed by the end of this year and will see the first renewable gas products supplied to the network soon after.