Improving energy use

It takes a lot of electricity to provide essential water and wastewater services to our community – around 35,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) in total each year!  

We’re in the process of delivering energy efficiency programs to reduce usage and increase renewable generation. In March 2018, the Investment Review Committee (IRC) approved the execution of our solar Photovoltaic (PV) project (CX11222). This project involved the installation of 2.29 MW of solar PV across five sites, including: 

• Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre
• Uriarra Sewage Treatment Plant
• Stromlo Water Treatment Plant
• Cotter Dam
• Mitchell office

These solar PV arrays will generate 4,155 MWh of electricity each year to power our assets and reduce the impact on Canberra’s electricity grid by around 12%. This will decrease our annual greenhouse gas emissions by around 3,500 tonnes, which is equivalent to taking over 700 cars off the road!

Once all solar PV systems are commissioned, the first year of operation is expected offset grid electricity usage by over $600,000. In addition, Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) that will be created from the two larger solar PV systems can be sold to the market to generate additional revenue.
 
At December 2019, all of the solar PV systems were energised, except for one of the two systems at the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre which is under construction.

We’re always looking at ways to reduce our energy consumption and explore renewable energy options. For any enquiries talk to us on talktous@iconwater.com.au or call us on 02 6248 3111.