Woodlawn Energy Generation Project

The Woodlawn Energy Generation Project is a landfill gas operation located at the Woodlawn Eco-Precinct, approximately 6km west of the town of Tarago in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Situated about 40km south of Goulburn and 50km north of Canberra, the project operates within the void of the former Woodlawn Mine, an open-cut copper, lead, and zinc mine. The project was registered in July 2015 and transitioned to its current methodology in 2023.

This project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Electricity Generation from Landfill Gas) Methodology Determination 2021. The methodology credits emissions reductions achieved by capturing methane generated from decomposing organic waste and combusting it to generate electricity. Unlike standard landfills, this facility is a "bioreactor," which actively manages liquid levels within the waste mass to accelerate decomposition and optimize biogas production for energy generation.

The surrounding Tarago region is characterized by agricultural land use, predominantly sheep and cattle grazing. The climate is classified as temperate with moderate rainfall, averaging around 600mm to 660mm annually, though evaporation rates typically exceed rainfall. While the regional soils are generally suitable for agriculture, the specific project site utilizes the deep mine void to contain waste, effectively rehabilitating the former industrial site.

A unique feature of the Woodlawn Eco-Precinct is its integrated approach to resource recovery; waste is transported from Sydney via rail to reduce truck movements. Additionally, the site utilizes waste heat from the power generation process to support onsite aquaculture (barramundi farming) and horticulture operations. The precinct also hosts wind and solar energy facilities, contributing to a diverse renewable energy hub.