Desalination Plant
A major desalination plant is planned for development in the Wonthaggi region to supply up to 150 billion litres of water a year to Melbourne, Geelong and, via other connections, South Gippsland and Western Port towns.
It will be capable of providing around a third of Melbourne's annual water supply from a source that is independent of rainfall.
The project will include an 85 kilometre underground pipeline to connect the plant to a transfer main at Berwick and then to Cardinia Reservoir.
Following preparation of an Environment Effects Statement and community consultation in 2008, construction of the plant is scheduled to commence in 2009 in order to deliver water by the end of 2011.
The plant will be constructed and operated through a Public Private Partnership. The proposals of two short-listed bidders are currently being assessed. The Victorian Government expects to announce the successful bidder in coming months.
The preferred power source is connection to the grid through underground powerlines co-located with the pipeline. The desalination plant will use approximately 90 megawatts of electricity from the Victorian energy grid, which will be offset through the purchase of renewable energy credits.
Importantly, the renewable energy sourced will be in addition to the Government’s current renewable energy targets.