Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland Water
Gippsland Water to install 1,200 kW solar array in drive to towards becoming 100 percent renewable energy dependant
Gippsland Water has switched on more than 2000 new solar panels at its largest wastewater treatment plant, the Gippsland Water Factory in Morwell.
Managing director Sarah Cumming said the large solar panel installation was a major step towards the organisation's ambitious target of being fully powered by renewable energy by 2025. "Now that the system is installed and running, we're in the unique position of having three types of renewable energy powering the water factory," Ms Cumming said.
Gippsland Water is taking strong action against climate change now and moving to 100 percent renewable energy by 2025, and will reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030
Reduced electricity costs
The solar installation complements two 330 kilowatt biogas generators - which use gases produced from the wastewater treatment process to generate power - and a 385 kilowatt hydro generator, which captures energy from water.
When all of the renewable energy sources are operating at their peak, they generate enough power to export power back into the grid. The mix of renewable energy sources reduces electricity costs for the water corporation, which is funded by its customers. "While this is great for the environment, it's also saving us almost a million dollars every year, keeping downward pressure on customer bills," Ms Cumming said.
New Project underway
The new 1,200 kilowatt solar array can completely power the water factory. It is the seventh and largest Gippsland Water site to be powered by solar panels. The Warragul, Traralgon and Tyers water treatment plants, Warragul and Moe wastewater treatment plants, and the Traralgon office are all solar-powered.
Another solar project is underway to install floating solar panels on lagoons at the recently upgraded wastewater treatment plant in Drouin. The Gippsland Water Factory, located in Maryvale, treats wastewater from nine towns and major industries, serving the needs of more than 48,000 customers and 300 local businesses. More information on Gippsland Water's renewable power sources is available at Our Climate Change Pledge page.
Pictures from Gippsland Water website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Darren Chester promotes Mobile Service Centres that offer essential government services like Centrelink and Medicare across Gippsland
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Gippsland Water adds customer care pop-ups for in-person payment support in Sale, Drouin, Warragul for July and Moe in August 2024
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Latrobe River Bridge at Tyers had completion delayed to August 2024 frustrating residents with safety concerns
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Baw Baw Shire attends 2024 Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly in Canberra advocating peri urban areas
Enjoy free chicken parma while listening to inspiring story of Warren Davies South Gippsland Farmer on 22 July 2024 at Mirboo North Hotel
Join Latrobe City Council and Planet Ark for National Tree Day 2024 at W H Burrage Reserve in Newborough on 28 July 2024
Latrobe City Council requests Planning Panel for Amendment C144 for Traralgon West Precinct on 9 September 2024
Latrobe Valley clubs excelled at 2024 Community Clubs Victoria awards with Morwell and Moe clubs earning top honours
Warragul Leisure Centre $11M expansion of community sports facilities opens 28 July 2024