Vic businesses given $2.38m for waste to energy projects

The Victorian government has released a discussion paper on converting waste to energy to support the development of new technologies, including anaerobic digestion and thermal treatment of waste.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Action Lily Dโ€™Ambrosio released the paper this week during a visit to Shepparton, where she also announced five grants from the $2.38 million Waste to Energy Infrastructure Fund.

โ€œWaste to energy technologies have the potential to reduce our reliance on landfill, boost our economy and better protect Victoriaโ€™s environment,โ€ Ms Dโ€™Ambrosio said.

โ€œThe recipients of our Waste to Energy Infrastructure grants will be upgrading their waste management practices, diverting waste from landfill and reducing their energy costs.โ€

The grants will help businesses and water corporations upgrade waste management practices and support projects that will deliver almost 1MW of renewable energy capacity per year.

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; and 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 and Resource Resolution will receive $900,000 to build an anaerobic digester to divert local commercial food waste and other organics from landfill.

The emissions saved through this program is equivalent to removing 16,500 cars from the road or the energy consumption of 7000 homes.

The Waste to Energy Infrastructure Fund was announced in the 2016 State Budget as part of the governmentโ€™s Climate Change innovation and Jobs Initiative.

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