Media Release
North East Water welcomes construction of new hydrogen facility
26 June 2023
Quotes attributable to North East Water Managing Director, Jo Murdoch.
North East Water is excited to be collaborating with AGIG on Hydrogen Park Murray Valley to explore circular economy opportunities that could have major benefits for the region.
The hydrogen facility's close proximity to our wastewater treatment plant paves the way for potential biogas and recycled water transfer, as well as oxygen reuse in our treatment processes - all of which would reduce emissions, waste and energy costs, helping to keep customer bills affordable.
Media release
North East Water (NEW) has welcomed the $50 million funding announcement for a new renewable hydrogen facility to be built alongside its largest wastewater treatment plant in Wodonga, paving the way for exciting circular economy opportunities for the region.
Managing Director, Jo Murdoch, said the water corporation is collaborating with the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) in its development of the facilty, which could see recycled water used in the hydrogen process and oxygen capture and reuse in wastewater treatment processes.
"We're already investing significantly to upgrade our Wodonga wastewater treatment plant to cater for growth and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the capture and use of biogas creating renewable electricity," Ms Murdoch said.
"Also on the site is a new $10 million 3MW solar farm, which is generating enough electricity to power the nearby waste facility during daylight hours and provide surplus energy back to the electricity grid to offset power used at other North East Water sites."
Ms Murdoch said the co-location of AGIG's hydrogen facility tied in well with North Esat Water's aspirations for the site to become a green resource recovery precinct and for its goal to achieve zero net emissions by 2035.
"Future opportunities to be explored with AGIG include the use of 'waste' oxygen from the production of hydrogen in the wastewater treatment process," Ms Murdoch said.
"Other opportunities include upgrading biogas to bio-methane for injection into the natural gas grid, as well as the use of recycled wastewater in the creation of hydrogen."
Ms Murdoch added, "We're pursuing renewable energy and circular opportunities because they are not only good for the environment, but also because they reduce energy and waste costs, helping to keep customer bills affordable".
"This project also demonstrates the benefit of strategic partnerships and working closely with major customers to support the health and propserity of our region," she said.
More information on Wodonga's wastewater treatment plant upgrade can be found at www.newater.com.au/wodonga.
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