A Ballarat social enterprise has begun using waste timber that would have been stockpiled or landfilled to cut down on its energy bills.
The project is the first being developed through the Ballarat Community Power Hub, a $900,000 program run by Sustainability Victoria.
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The Community Power Hubs program is being trialled for two years in the Ballarat, Bendigo and Latrobe regions to help communities make the transition to community-owned renewable energy systems.
Sustainability Victoria acting CEO Jonathan Leake said the Ballarat Community Power Hub has provided $6500 and considerable volunteer hours to help McCallum Disability Services access a new biomass boiler.
“A biomass system would reduce energy costs by $100,000 a year and be paid for in seven years,” he said.
“The 2000kw system will be powered by locally-sourced timber waste, operate well-under Environment Protection Authority emissions requirements and produce relatively little ash.”
Greenhouse gas emissions of up to 560 tonnes could be achieved if all natural gas is replaced.
“Importantly, reduced energy costs will allow for the expansion of services to provide additional employment for people with disabilities,” Mr Leake said.
The program is contributing to the Victorian Government’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and having 40 per cent of the state’s energy needs coming from renewable energy by 2025.