GWW strives towards net zero

Almost 1350 new solar panels are being installed across four of Greater Western Water (GWW) sites, as part of its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.

The solar panels are being installed this month at the Altona Treatment Plant and Werribee Recycled Water Plant and early next year at the Ballan Road Tank Site and Little River Booster Pump Station.

When fully completed in early 2023, the panels will significantly increase the use of renewable energy, producing over 1,000 MWh of renewable energy per year, which will predominately be used back on the sites.

The new panels will double GWW’s renewable energy generation capacity, with 1600 existing solar panels at the Melton Recycled Water Plant (RWP) and Altona Treatment Plant already producing 1,000 MWh of renewable energy per year.

The doubling of this capacity to 2,000 MWh is enough electricity to power 450 homes for a year.

GWW Managing Director, Maree Lang said the corporation was committed to increasing the use of renewable energy and investing in innovative energy solutions to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.

“Climate change is having an impact on how we operate and to help tackle these challenges we are embracing a low carbon future. Our first corporate strategy includes commitments to invest in innovation and develop a zero emissions mindset, so that climate change is considered in of our all decision-making,” Ms Lang said.

”We have a responsibility to deliver real change towards a sustainable future for Melbourne’s west.”

Other initiatives underway include buying renewable electricity from a large-scale solar farm in Ouyen, amounting to around one-third of GWW’s total electricity use, and adding high strength organic waste, that would otherwise be sent to landfill, to its anerobic digester at the Melton RWP, to increase renewable energy generation.

Visit GWW’s website to learn more about GWW’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.