Reducing Energy Use
The Water Corporation has registered to take part in the Federal Government Energy Efficiency Opportunities Program. This program aims to improve the identification and evaluation of energy efficiency opportunities for large energy consuming businesses.
Participating businesses identify, evaluate and report publicly on cost effective energy savings opportunities. As part of the program the Water Corporation is undertaking energy assessments of approximately 60 sites by June 2011.
Greenhouse strategy
In 2006/07 the Water Corporation accounted for more than 419,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions.
Since 2001, the Water Corporation has reduced net greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by:
- using less greenhouse intensive energy sources. The Perth Seawater Desalination Plant uses state-of-the-art energy efficiency technology and power sourced from the Emu Downs Wind Farm near Cervantes;
- reducing the demand for water through water use efficiency initiatives;
- planting trees to sequester carbon;
- improving vehicle fleet efficiencies; and
- using biogas from wastewater treatment processes.
The Water Corporation has set a target to be carbon neutral by 2030 and is implementing a strategy to achieve this. Areas of focus include:
- improving energy efficiency;
- using energy sources that have very low or no emissions; and
- managing emissions produced from wastewater treatment.
Investing in renewable energy has the greatest potential to reduce emissions. The Water Corporation is well placed to invest in a range of renewable energy sources including ocean waves, hydro-electricity, biogas, wind and solar energy.
Most electricity used by the Water Corporation is purchased. Approximately 1.5% is generated at the Woodman Point Wastewater Treatment Plant from biogas.
Almost 20% of our energy is obtained from sources of renewable energy, which includes wind, landfill gas, and the use of biogas. This is expected to increase to over 35% in 2008 with the Perth Seawater Desalination Plant operating at full capacity using electricity from a renewable energy source. In addition, the Water Corporation is committed to securing renewable energy to power the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant.