Remote areas of Moorabool will be switched on to greener energy, thanks to a new hydro-electric generator.
The state government has given $500,000 to build an innovative mini-hydro-electric generator at Lal Lal Reservoir. The generator will produce up to 526-megawatt hours of electricity, enough to power about 80 homes.
Buninyong MP Geoff Howard said the hydro station will generate energy from environmental water releases at the reservoir going into Moorabool River; this will be used to power infrastructure at the site.
“The project is a fantastic example of thinking outside the square, with small-scale solutions delivering cleaner energy outcomes for our communities,” Mr Howard said. “This project could potentially be replicated at low cost across the state to deliver large-scale outcomes for clean energy, water management and climate adaptation.”
The new generator is expected to save more than 500 tonnes of carbon-equivalent greenhouse gases a year. It will also reduce running costs for Central Highlands Water and Barwon Water by about $85,000 a year.
The two water authorities, which have jointly managed the reservoir for 40 years, contributed $100,000 in total to the project.
“With the support of the state government, this project will provide further reductions in energy use and greenhouse gases,” Central Highlands Water chairman Jeremy Johnson said.
