Water utility makes power

THE sun’s rays will soon be offsetting power usage at four Central Highlands Water sites as a large solar electricity generation project nears completion.

When finished at the end of June, the project will see over 6330 panels generating 3500 megawatts of energy per year, equivalent to 750 Victorian homes.

CHW managing director, Mr Paul O’Donohue said the project would have long term impact.

“The installation of these solar plants will provide a more sustainable water supply and wastewater supply system for our community over the next 50 years,” he said.

The solar panels will be spread across the wastewater management and pumping plants at four sites in the CHW network, Ballarat North and South, Lal Lal and White Swan and have been entirely funded by the water utility.

“This will take about 47 per cent of the energy load off the grid and into a local solution, and we’re very proud of that,” Mr O’Donohue said.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison toured the Ballarat North site representing the Minister for Water on Tuesday morning.

She said that as a government agency CHW had a role to play in reaching the State’s net zero emissions by 2050 target, as well as interim measures.

“This is a commitment to us saying across all government agencies ‘we’re working to get towards that target’,” she said.

“We know the community has asked us to improve our work when it comes to sustainability… but it’s very important that it doesn’t come at an extra cost. The fact it comes at no extra cost is so important.”