An Australian first trial has commenced at Sydney Water’s Malabar Wastewater Resource Recovery Plant. Renewable biomethane will 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, delivering reliable and cleaner gas to Sydneysiders and helping reduce the carbon footprint of households.
“The Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility will create approximately 95,000 gigajoules of biomethane, from organic material in the wastewater. It will supply gas to around 6,300 homes by the end of the year. It has the capacity to double production by 2030,” Mr Anderson said.
“This five-year pilot will put gas directly into the supply network. Ultimately it will help industries across NSW meet their net-zero emissions targets. The facility will be able to turn waste material into a new clean energy source.”
Biomethane project offers sustainability benefits
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 yearly. That is 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), providing a $5.9 million grant to the NSW Government, Sydney Water and energy infrastructure company, Jemena.
The project should finish construction by the end of this year. The first renewable gas products will be supplied to the network soon after.
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