Gas customers across NSW will soon be able to buy renewable gas to help reduce their carbon emissions following the launch of Australia’s first Renewable Gas Certification scheme.
Energy Minister Matt Kean said a renewable gas certification scheme will unlock a voluntary market for gas users to buy renewable gases, like biomethane which can be produced from wastewater, food and garden waste.
“Replacing natural gas with hydrogen or biomethane can help NSW industries meet their net zero emissions targets, putting them ahead of the pack in low carbon global economy,” Mr Kean said.
“Unlocking a renewable gas market will help our industrial and manufacturing sectors decarbonise by giving them more clean energy choices.”
The scheme will be piloted at the Malabar Biomethane Injection Project (MBIP), Australia’s first wastewater biomethane facility. The new facility will convert raw biogas into biomethane, which will then be injected back into the NSW gas distribution network.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said by using Sydney Water’s existing biomass and waste streams the project will be turning waste into clean energy.
“Here at Malabar, Sydney Water processes wastewater from 1.4 million households in Sydney. As part of the treatment process, Sydney Water produces biogas, which is about 60 per cent methane. A combustion engine transforms this biogas into electricity and heat to power Sydney Water’s Wastewater Treatment Plants,” Mrs Pavey said.
“From 2022, approximately 95,000 gigajoules of biomethane will be generated each year through Australia’s first biomethane-to gas project - enough to meet the gas demand of 6,300 homes.”
The pilot will design and test a simplified renewable gas registry, which will make renewable gas available to a small number of customers in early 2022. The MBIP is expected to come online at the same time.
Renewable gas, such as hydrogen and biomethane, is derived from a clean energy source, which creates zero additional carbon emissions when burnt. For more information visit greenpower.gov.au
