GWMWater is entering into an agreement with Vibe Energy to co-develop a Renewable Energy Facility at Nhill.

It is the organisation’s first venture into larger-scale energy generation with a direct connection to the electricity grid and will offset 70 percent of GWMWater’s total electricity demand.

The facility, which includes a 2.75 MW battery, will be located off the Western Highway, behind Nhill Trailer Exchange, and generate 6.2 MW of solar energy. This is the equivalent of about 1000 residential rooftop systems.

Construction will commence once planning approvals are finalised and the facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2024.

GWMWater managing director Mark Williams said the project was part of the organisation’s broader clean energy strategy and was a major step towards becoming a carbon-neutral net-generator of electricity.

“GWMWater is committed to securing 100 percent of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2025 and becoming carbon neutral by 2035,” he said.

“The Nhill facility, along with solar generation that has been installed at 59 other GWMWater sites, will enable us to become more self-sufficient in locally generating the energy we need to operate water and wastewater services.

“GWMWater is well placed to leverage its existing assets, systems and customer relationships, combined with new energy generation assets – such as the Nhill Renewable Energy Facility – to become a net generator of electricity and supply local businesses and communities.”

Vibe Energy’s Dean Panos said the company was looking forward to partnering with GWMWater to boost the market.

“Vibe Energy is excited to be playing a role in facilitating GWMWater’s energy transition, which will allow locally generated renewable energy to service local demand,” he said.

Water Minister Harriet Shing said Victoria’s water corporations were leading the nation with a target of 100 percent renewable energy for their operations by 2025, helping to cut emissions without increasing customer bills.

Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said GWMWater was taking control of its own energy future by installing local renewable electricity to help power operations, cut emissions and cut the cost of electricity.

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