Waste to watts: our region's clean energy future
A new facility is improving environmental safety, reducing odour and emissions and turning a problem into a clean energy solution.
Nambour Renewable Energy Facility
In the ultimate ‘waste to resource’ initiative, a new renewable energy facility will turn landfill gas into clean energy and slash greenhouse gas emissions by up to 55,000 tonnes per year.
Sunshine Coast Council and partner, LMS Energy opened the facility at the Northern Waste Precinct in Bli Bli today (19 May), where it will generate enough renewable electricity to power 1,500 homes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The new facility strengthens Council’s renewable energy network and complements the Sunshine Coast Solar Farm and the existing renewable energy operation at the Caloundra Landfill.
Sunshine Coast Deputy Mayor Maria Suarez said careful planning and innovative solutions were delivering tangible benefits for our environment and our community in the Sunshine Coast Biosphere.
“In most instances, landfill is the end game and that’s it – those resources lost forever. However, this initiative turns a challenge into an opportunity, generating a resource from rubbish and significantly reducing emissions,” Cr Suarez said
“The facility will generate around 9,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy each year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 55,000 tonnes annually – that’s the equivalent of taking 22,000 cars off the road.
“In landfill, our general rubbish releases biogas as it breaks down, which contains methane – a greenhouse gas around 28 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.
“Our region’s commitment as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve means we need to find innovative solutions and demonstrate ways to live in balance with nature.
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to providing sustainable waste management that supports our growing community.
“The facility has been designed to expand in line with the growing needs of the community and ensures we’ll be generating energy and reducing emissions for the duration of the landfill’s lifespan and beyond.”
The facility was designed and built by LMS Energy at no cost to Council. LMS Energy, a leading renewable energy and emissions reduction company, will operate and maintain the facility.
LMS Energy Director Stuart Glenn said the project reflects best‑practice landfill management.
“Biogas is captured through an extensive network of wells and pipes and fed into a one‑megawatt engine,” Mr Glenn said.
“This generates around 9,000 megawatt hours of renewable electricity annually – enough energy to charge approximately 4,000 electric vehicles.”
“Landfill biogas‑to‑energy facilities like this are critical infrastructure for modern landfills and play an important role in powering the circular economy.
“We’re proud of our long‑standing partnership with Sunshine Coast Council and its ongoing commitment to emissions reduction, renewable energy and sustainable waste management for the benefit of current and future generations.”
The project also generates carbon credits through the Federal Government’s Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme, recognising the destruction of methane emissions.