The Victorian Government has released a discussion paper on converting waste to energy to support the development of new technologies, and has announced five grants from the $2.38 million Waste to Energy Infrastructure Fund.
The grants will help businesses and water corporations upgrade waste management practices and support projects that will deliver almost one megawatt of renewable energy capacity per annum:
- Western Region Water Corporation will receive $802,784 to collect organic waste material and generate energy
- Diamond Valley Pork will receive $284,929 to install an anaerobic digester to improve waste management and generate energy and nutrient rich digestate
- East Gippsland Region Water Corporation will receive $209,765 to enhance an existing bio-digester to process septic tank waste, food waste, fats, oils and greases
- Nestle Australia will receive $182,510 to create a system where organic waste from starch based soft confectionery is used for bioenergy
- Resource Resolution will receive $900,000 to help it build an anaerobic digester to divert local commercial food waste and other organics from landfill
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, said waste-to-energy technologies have the potential to reduce reliance on landfill, boost economy and better protect Victoria’s environment.
“The recipients of our Waste to Energy Infrastructure grants will be upgrading their waste management practices, diverting waste from landfill and reducing their energy costs,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
The emissions saved through this program is equivalent to removing 16,500 cars from the road or the energy consumption of 7,000 homes.
The Waste to Energy Infrastructure Fund was announced in the 2016 State Budget as part of the Government’s Climate Change innovation and Jobs Initiative.
Along with the announcement of the grants, the State Government released a discussion paper which is seeking feedback from the community and industry on the best role for waste to energy technologies in waste and energy sectors in Victoria.
Feedback received will help inform the State Government’s development of a waste to energy policy, to be released in 2018.
