In the 2023-24 financial year, G-MW reported emissions totalling 10,679 tonnes of CO2 (carbon dioxide)-equivalent, with 65 per cent attributed to electricity use (known as Scope 2 emissions).
As of July 1, these Scope 2 emissions have been reduced to zero.
We have achieved this milestone through purchasing green power certified renewable energy as well as generating our own electricity where it makes commercial sense.
Although the majority of our water delivery through our 6000km of channels uses gravity, many of our facilities — including pumping stations, offices, depots and vehicles — contribute to our carbon footprint.
An example of how we are reducing our emissions is the Mitiamo Pump Station and Stock and Domestic Pipeline, a 300-kilometre system serving 58,000 hectares of farmland.
The installation of a 99.7 kW solar array and a 404 kWh battery system enables pump operation regardless of sunlight conditions.
Over its projected 25-year lifespan, this system is expected to generate 3.9 gigawatt-hours of clean energy, substantially reducing emissions.
Several other locations, including the Casey St, Tatura, and Dartmouth offices, are currently equipped with solar panels.
Within the next 12 months, solar installations will extend to our offices in Shepparton, Kerang and Rochester, as well as the Cussen St works depot in Tatura.
Other ongoing initiatives include identifying underused land around storage facilities for potential carbon offset projects, battery storage, or other renewable energy market opportunities.
Now that we have hit our first milestone in our journey to net-zero emissions, our efforts will move to reducing fleet-related emissions (known as Scope 1 emissions).
By the end of the year, G-MW will expand its electric vehicle (EV) fleet from two to five.
Given G-MW manages water-related services across a vast region of about 68,000 square kilometres, additional EV charging infrastructure is also required, with plans to install more stations at multiple sites.
All our emissions-reduction investments are subject to commercial viability assessments.
For instance, while installing solar panels entails upfront costs, we have accessed grants that offset at least 50 per cent of those costs, with the remainder recouped within a few years through decreased power expenditure.
Similarly, the procurement of EVs and charging infrastructure reduces long-term fuel and vehicle maintenance costs.
These initiatives are not only advance our environmental objectives they also yield operational efficiencies and cost savings, benefiting both G-MW and its customers.
– Charmaine Quick is Goulburn-Murray Water’s managing director.
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