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A $1.7 million solar installation at the Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant is cutting costs and emissions.
WESTERNPORT Water has commissioned a 545kW ground-mounted solar system at its Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant, the largest solar installation of its kind in Bass Coast.
The system has been operating since June 4 and is already supplying much of the electricity needed to run the energy-intensive treatment plant.
On clear winter days, the solar array has generated enough electricity to meet the plant’s needs for most of the day, with surplus power exported to the grid.
Westernport Water expects the period of energy self-sufficiency to increase over summer as daylight hours lengthen.
The system has been operating since June 4 and is already supplying much of the electricity needed to run the energy-intensive treatment plant.
On clear winter days, the solar array has generated enough electricity to meet the plant’s needs for most of the day, with surplus power exported to the grid.
Westernport Water expects the period of energy self-sufficiency to increase over summer as daylight hours lengthen.
The $1.7 million project will reduce the plant’s reliance on grid electricity and lower its operating costs, helping keep water and wastewater services more affordable for customers.
It will also generate Large-scale Generation Certificates, contributing to Westernport Water’s broader carbon reduction targets.
Westernport Water managing director Dona Tantirimudalige said the investment would also help position the Cowes plant for its proposed major upgrade under the Next Generation Upgrade Project.
“By investing in renewable energy today, we’re lowering emissions while ensuring the site is well positioned to support the proposed major upgrade of the Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant,” she said.
Climate specialist Dr Kavindra Paranage said solar was an important part of Westernport Water’s goal of achieving net-zero operational emissions by 2035.
“Alongside renewable energy, we’re investing in energy efficiency, improved treatment processes, lower-emission vehicles and nature-based solutions to reduce our environmental footprint while continuing to deliver the services our community depends on,” he said.
Westernport Water is also preparing a Net Zero Transition Plan, which will set out how it intends to reduce emissions across its operations.
“Solar is an important part of that journey because it delivers immediate, measurable benefits while helping prepare our infrastructure for the future,” Dr Paranage said.
Source: Westernport Water
It will also generate Large-scale Generation Certificates, contributing to Westernport Water’s broader carbon reduction targets.
Westernport Water managing director Dona Tantirimudalige said the investment would also help position the Cowes plant for its proposed major upgrade under the Next Generation Upgrade Project.
“By investing in renewable energy today, we’re lowering emissions while ensuring the site is well positioned to support the proposed major upgrade of the Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant,” she said.
Climate specialist Dr Kavindra Paranage said solar was an important part of Westernport Water’s goal of achieving net-zero operational emissions by 2035.
“Alongside renewable energy, we’re investing in energy efficiency, improved treatment processes, lower-emission vehicles and nature-based solutions to reduce our environmental footprint while continuing to deliver the services our community depends on,” he said.
Westernport Water is also preparing a Net Zero Transition Plan, which will set out how it intends to reduce emissions across its operations.
“Solar is an important part of that journey because it delivers immediate, measurable benefits while helping prepare our infrastructure for the future,” Dr Paranage said.
Source: Westernport Water
1 Comments
Please advise projected cost benefit compared to traditional purchase grid power?