Victorian water utilities join forces to source cheap solar power

One Step Off The Grid

Thirteen Victorian water utilities have banded together to forge a major renewable energy off-take deal that will supply between 20 and 50 per cent of each corporation’s total electricity needs, and lower water bills for consumers.

The utilities, under an umbrella organisation called Zero Emissions Water Ltd (ZEW), have signed a deal with the 200MW Kiamal Solar Farm – Victoria’s largest such project to date, which is being developed in the state’s north-west by Total Eren.

Victorian water minister Lisa Neville said on Tuesday that the power purchase deal, starting October 2019, meant the utilities would be able to source electricity at “a much cheaper rate” than would be possible individually.

This would not only slash the utilities’ emissions, but reduce operating costs in what is a notoriously energy intensive industry, and allow those savings to be pass on to consumers.

“It’s great to see our state’s water corporations working together on this innovative new model, which will not only help protect our environment into the future but also keep water bills affordable for Victorians,” Neville said.

“We’ve seen the effects of climate change on our water storage levels, which is why it’s more important than ever to create solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

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