More than 4000 tonnes of green waste generated during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has been turned into renewable energy through a partnership between Cape Byron Power and Tweed Shire Council.
As part of the New South Wales shire-wide clean-up, council crews have collected and chipped green waste from suburbs to be transported to the Condong Cogeneration Plant.
Operated by Cape Byron Power, the plant works alongside a sugar mill to generate electricity from biomass.
Jane Lofthouse, Acting Director of Sustainable Communities and Environment of Tweed Shire Council said the green waste has been chipped either on-site or taken to Quirks Quarry, where it is then transported to the Condong Cogeneration Plant to be used to produce electricity.
“While Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre processes green waste and garden organics, the sheer volume of waste from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred exceeds the facility’s capacity,” said Lofthouse.
“Since Monday 17 March, the community clean-up has collected around 4000 tonnes of green waste which is equivalent to the weight of around 2000 cars. This has demonstrated the need for an alternative solution.”
Anthony Lount, General Manager of Cape Byron Power said he was pleased the company could offer a smart, green solution to a local problem.
“We pride ourselves on being an innovator in the generation of clean, renewable energy,” said Lount.
“Our employees and contractors were all impacted by this event so being able to help with the clean-up and restoring the beautiful Tweed back to its pre-cyclone condition is important to all of us.”
For more information, visit: www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/home
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