Kempsey ratepayers could see water bills stabilise after the council locked in solar and batteries at three of its major water and wastewater facilities, in a move set to save $70,900 per annum in electricity costs.
“The treatment plants that were picked were our three high energy consuming facilities,” Wes Trotter, council’s utilities director, told the Mid North Coaster.
“We're knocking those big ones off first that are going to get us the most benefit. The more we can bring down our operational costs, the more it will benefit ratepayers.”
What’s happening: The project will see solar systems, batteries and energy-efficiency improvements at the existing Steuart McIntyre Dam treatment facility, South West Rocks Water Treatment Plant and South West Rocks Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The plants will be installed with LED lighting, as well as energy, cooling and ventilation monitoring systems.
Managing demand: The battery systems will also provide the council with “demand response capability“.
During periods of heightened power demand - for example when thousands of air conditioners are running during summer - the council will be able to “remove its consumption from the grid”, leaving more electricity for other users.
Less emissions: Trotter, who has worked in the water and wastewater industry for more than 25 years, said the project will reduce council’s emissions by 85.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide (Co2) annually.
The upgrades will allow the council to avoid buying approximately 255,000 kilowatt hours of grid electricity - that same number could power around more than 12,000 typical homes in NSW for a day.
Site example: The biggest savings will come from upgrades to the Steuart McIntyre Dam treatment facility, where a 100-kilowatt solar system will be installed, both roof and ground mounted, alongside a 100-kilowatt hour battery.
“This is the one where we will get most of our value from, with annual savings through to approximately $38,600 and 48.8 tonnes of Co2 per annum,” Trotter said.
The funding: The total project cost is $693,200, jointly funded by the council and the federal government.
Kempsey mayor Kinne Ring said “water and wastewater treatment facilities are significant energy users, so reducing the amount of electricity they need makes good financial and environmental sense”.
What’s next: Planning and design for the upgrades is now underway, with construction due to be completed by December 2027.
The project is part of a $270 million investment to modernise water and sewer infrastructure.
Council’s seven-year plan includes water treatment plants at Willawarrin, Steuart McIntyre Dam and Crescent Head, the Stuarts Point sewer scheme, and the decentralisation of Kempsey’s sewerage.