Barwon Water provides water, sewerage and recycled water services across the City of Greater Geelong and neighbouring areas. As a significant energy user and with a commitment to switch to 100% renewable electricity and achieve zero net emissions, the organisation was looking for cost effective investments in renewable energy at its major sites.

The Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant treats most of the Geelong region’s sewage, processing approximately 70 million litres of wastewater each day. It is Barwon Water’s largest energy consumer and source of emissions, accounting for 40% of total electricity use and 35% of total emissions in 2019/20.

In 2016, Barwon Water set about investigating and constructing one of the largest behind-the-meter solar installations in Australia. The solar farm comprises 8,388 photovoltaic panels with 3 megawatts capacity. Owned and operated by Barwon Water, the solar farm directly supplies over one third of the plant’s annual electricity consumption and exports any excess to the grid.

The plant is now producing up to 4.5 gigawatt-hours of zero-emission renewable electricity each year and has reduced Barwon Water’s emissions by 4,500 tCO2-e, or almost 10%.

Call to Action

Barwon Water’s ability to provide reliable and affordable water services depends on a stable climate. With good planning and smart investment in low cost renewable energy, larger businesses can save money and reduce emissions.