A new renewable energy facility will turn landfill gas into clean energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 55,000 tonnes per year.
Sunshine Coast Council and LMS Energy opened the facility on Tuesday at the Northern Waste Precinct in Bli Bli, where it will generate enough renewable electricity to power 1500 homes daily.
It bolsters the 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 the facility would bring tangible benefits.
“In most instances, landfill is the end game and that’s it: those resources lost forever,” she said.
“However, this initiative turns a challenge into an opportunity, generating a resource from rubbish and significantly reducing emissions.
“The facility will generate around 9000 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 the 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 reflected best‑practice landfill management.
“Biogas is captured through an extensive network of wells and pipes and fed into a one‑megawatt engine,” he said.
“This generates around 9000 megawatt hours of renewable electricity annually, enough energy to charge approximately 4000 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.”
The project also generates carbon credits through the Federal Government’s Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme, recognising the destruction of methane emissions.
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