New solar panels for water plants

Solar panels at Melton Recycled Water Plant. (Supplied)

Greater Western Water are installing new solar panes at the Altona Treatment Plant this month, as part of its commitment to achieve net zero emission by 2030.

The installations join other works to install solar panels at the Werribee Recycled Water Plant this month, as well as installations at the Ballan Road Tank Site and the Little River Booster Pump Station early next year – totalling close to 1350 solar panels across the four sites.

When fully completed in early 2023, the panels will increase the use of renewable energy, producing more than 1000 MWh of renewable energy per year, which will predominantly be used on the sites.

A total of 1600 existing solar panels across the Altona and Melton sites are already producing 1000 MWh of renewable energy per year.

The doubling of this capacity to 2000 MWh is enough to power 450 homes for a year.

GWW managing director Maree Lang said they are committed to increasing the usage of renewable energy 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,” she said.

“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.

“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 and adding high-strength organice waste to the Melton plant to increase GWW’s renewable energy generation.

Details: www.gww.com.au/about/corporate-information/our-strategies-plans-reports/2030-strategy