Jemena’s Malabar Biomethane Project is the first renewable gas project in Australia to receive GreenPower Renewable Gas Certification.
The project is also Australia’s first to produce biomethane, initially producing around 110 terajoules of renewable gas and injecting it into the gas network.
The biomethane is being produced from wastewater at Sydney Water’s Malabar Water Resource Recovery Facility in Sydney’s south-east.
When biomethane generated at Malabar is combusted, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by over 90% when compared to using natural gas. This includes the combustion emissions as well as the embodied emissions associated with the production process.
The project is co-funded by energy infrastructure company Jemena and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
The GreenPower Renewable Gas Certification was launched in 2023 to help decarbonise gas use in Australia by allowing commercial and industrial gas users to match their fossil gas use with low-emission renewable gas and support renewable gas projects. The certification operates nationwide.
Quotes attributable to Chair of the GreenPower Steering Group, Tim Stock
‘GreenPower certified renewable gas production, like the biomethane being produced at Jemena’s Malabar project, are very important in reducing Australia’s carbon emissions as they produce low emissions when compared to fossil natural gas.
‘These renewable energies are sources of cleaner, sustainable and increasingly competitive energy which can be used by industries in the same way as fossil natural gas but with substantially lower carbon emissions.’
‘This is vital in helping Australia and its jurisdictions reach their net zero emissions targets and provide a sustainable means to power our economy along with environmental benefits, energy security, and economic opportunities while using novel and advanced technologies, which can also provide valuable circular economy benefits.
‘The GreenPower Renewable Gas Certification is unlocking a nation-wide renewable gas market to support low-emission gas development and provides our commercial and industrial sectors with a cleaner energy choice for their gas use.’
Quotes attributable to Jemena’s Managing Director, David Gillespie
‘This is an exciting next step for Australia’s renewable gas industry and is the first time biomethane has been formally certified as meeting the standards set by GreenPower.’
‘Our industrial and manufacturing customers are telling us they need gas for high heat and as a feedstock. At the same time, we know they are also looking at ways to lower their carbon footprint. GreenPower certification is the next step in establishing a domestic renewable gas market which will deliver a decarbonisation option for these customers.
‘This is particularly important for industrial customers who have been mandated to reduce emissions under the Federal Safeguard Mechanism.’
Quotes attributable to Sydney Water’s Managing Director, Roch Cheroux
‘By partnering with Jemena, we have been able to take wastewater and convert it into gas, which has not only bolstered energy supplies but successfully demonstrated we have the capability to deliver an internationally proven technology right here in Sydney.’
‘This is a significant achievement as we are now contributing to the circular economy.’
‘This project demonstrates the importance of water infrastructure to assist in the delivery of new energy technologies. Our work with Jemena has ensured we can provide the essential foundation so customers can access renewable gas and hydrogen.’
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