The state government has made an agreement with Victoria’s water corporations to reduce their emissions to net zero by 2035.
The new Statement of Obligations locks in the state’s water 18 corporations to the agreement, including those servicing the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges, making it the first sector to commit to net-zero by 2035.
In a statement, the government said the obligations will support its target of having emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
“Victoria’s water corporations are already working on changing emission-intensive operations to utilise the renewable energy they generate – keeping water bills low for Victorians,” the government said.
“The obligations require the sector to reduce its collective emissions by 42 per cent and source 100 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
“Central Highlands Water has installed more than 6,336 solar panels, which power almost half their energy needs at across 4 water and wastewater plants – saving up to 3,745 tonnes of emissions annually.
“Other projects include Barwon Water’s Colac Renewable Organics Network; Yarra Valley Water’s Waste to Energy facility in Wollert, and Wannon Water’s 800-kilowatt wind turbine – producing clean renewable energy for two years.”
The government said the sector was also exploring the use of sustainable recycled water sources for renewable hydrogen production and capturing more biogas from sewage treatment.
“A net zero water sector by 2035 will mean the industry has reduced its annual emissions by almost 900,000 tonnes per year. The equivalent to the annual emissions produced by more than 250,000 cars on Victoria’s roads,” the government said.
