About this project

GVW’s business activities create carbon emissions from two sources – firstly, the use of electricity in transporting and treating water and wastewater, and secondly, direct emissions from the treatment of wastewater. Under the Statement of Obligations (Emissions Reduction) GVW has an obligation to reduce carbon emissions to 37,416 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Customers have told us they support this initiative, and further endorsed an ambitious target by 2025 based on a willingness-to-pay analysis of future bill impacts. We’ll be looking to achieve this by installing solar energy (photo voltaic panels) at multiple sites, and replacing assets with new energy efficient technologies.

Actions to date

Since the emissions reduction pledge, our emission levels remain higher than previously estimated, driven primarily by manufacturing growth in the region. Despite this, we remain fully committed to achieving our emissions reduction target of 37,416 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, and this has become our business-as-usual target.
Last year, we saw the completion of the new cover installed on the High Rate Anaerobic Lagoon at the Shepparton Wastewater Management Facility, and the biogas system was reinstated. We’ve also made improvements to the reliability and accuracy of the system and its data, with emissions expected to substantially decrease this year as a result. We’ve also replaced one of the lagoon covers at the Tatura Wastewater Management Facility, which has resulted in a reduction in emissions. We plan to replace the other two covers in coming years.
Stage 2 of the solar panel project is underway after some delays, with some systems already installed. This follows the completion of Stage 1, which saw more than 4800 panels installed at 15 high energy consuming sites - this has already contributed to a reduction in emissions.
We’ve assessed options for emissions reduction, particularly around knowledge gaps, and have planned a pathway to meet our future targets. We’re also participating in a sector-wide project to look at meeting offset requirements through collaboration on a suite of projects.

What's next?

We’ll continue to install solar panels under Stage 2 of the project, which will see smaller sized systems installed on 14 sites. The Victorian water industry’s Statement of Obligations (Emissions Reduction) has been revised in consultation with water authorities. The final draft is awaiting sign off by the Water Minister, but we know we need to refine and commence the development of the preferred options to meet the 100% renewable target and continue to play a role in collaborative offset projects.

Our accountability for this project

We will report to customers annually on progress against the forecast carbon reduction trajectory.
In the event of being significantly below the planned trajectory at the end of any year, the CCAG will consider and advise what may be an appropriate response for customers.

For this information in PDF form, click here to download the factsheet (PDF: 313KB)