Work has started for the $16-million Malabar Biomethane project that will deliver Australia’s first biomethane-to-gas network.
Jemena signed a partnership with Sydney Water to construct the Malabar Biomethane project upgrader that will then be exported into Jemena’s NSW gas distribution network. The upgraders work to remove the water, carbon dioxide, and other gas contaminants from the wastewater so that renewable biomethane.
The initiative is expected to reduce 5,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, which may be comparable to taking 4,500 cars off the road. The biomethane project has the potential for increased 11,0000 tonnes of carbon emissions thus becoming a significant contributor to the NSW Government’s Net Zero Plan, which aims to cut emissions by 35 per cent by 2030.
“Fabricating the upgrader package in Australia is a great step towards helping to build a new design and manufacturing industry which will support our renewable energy transition,” Gabrielle Sycamore, Jemena’s General Manager of Renewable Gas, said.
“We’re excited about the potential for bioenergy and biofuels to help decarbonise sectors of our economy, like manufacturing, which rely on gas as a feedstock, as well as provide renewable gas for customers to use at home.
“Biomethane production is a great example of creating a circular economy – it keeps products and materials in use, reducing the production of new waste and pollution, and regenerating natural systems.
“Projections indicate that by the start of the next decade, with the right policy support, the bioenergy sector could create about 26,200 jobs.”
Per Sydney Water, “The Malabar Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), located near the Malabar Headland National Park, is one of Sydney Water’s multiple Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants. The bulk of the current AD Biogas output is used for electrical power generation and water heating. The balance of biogas that cannot be used via site processes is combusted through waste gas burners.”
The Malabar Biomethane project is expected to finish by the end of the year. For more information, refer to Jemena’s official site.