New energy deal to keep water bills down

BARWON Water will join 12 other Victorian water corporations in a new energy partnership that will help minimise greenhouse gas emissions and maintain affordable water bills for customers.

From October, the water corporations will purchase solar power together from Kiamal Solar Farm in north-west Victoria under a new umbrella organisation called Zero Emissions Water (ZEW).

Purchasing energy as one large organisation instead of separately means the water corporations will procure energy at a cheaper rate, which will help maintain affordable prices for customers.

Barwon Water managing director Tracey Slatter said that the Victorian water industry was committed to advancing projects that benefit the environment and create more return on investment for customers.

“This innovative deal is the first of its kind in the water industry in Australia and will help Barwon Water reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions, helping to keep water bills down and benefit the environment.

“We expect to save about $50,000 to $100,000 in energy costs each year, with operational cost savings of up to $1.7 million over the life of the project.”

The deal will allow Barwon Water to purchase up to 9.4 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, which is 30 per cent of its annual energy needs.

Ms Slatter said Victorian water corporations were leading the way for other water corporations and industries.

“This deal is the firs of its kind in Australia and is a major step forward towards the sector achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”

The initiative will accelerate Barwon Water’s plans to achieve 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025, alongside other renewable projects being undertaken by the water authority, including tripling the size of its solar farm at its Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant from one megawatt to three megawatts.

“We’ve seen the effects of climate change on our water storage levels, which is why it’s more important than ever to create solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Minister for Water Lisa Neville said.