Morwell Landfill Emissions Avoidance Project

The Morwell Landfill Emissions Avoidance Project (ERF185696) is a landfill gas project located at the Hyland Highway Landfill in Loy Yang, approximately 10 kilometers southeast of Morwell in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. Registered on September 22, 2023, the project operates under the Carbon Farming Initiative-Landfill Gas methodology. The project proponent is the Latrobe City Council, with Samuel Willacy listed as the project agent.

Landfill gas projects involve the installation of gas collection systems, comprising vertical wells and horizontal pipes, to capture methane generated by the decomposition of organic waste. Under the 2015 determination, this captured gas must be combusted, converting potent methane into carbon dioxide, which has a significantly lower global warming potential. This specific project involves a new gas collection system designed to manage emissions from both legacy and non-legacy waste. While the primary mechanism for abatement is flaring, the site also integrates electricity generation.

The project is situated in the Gippsland region, an area characterized by a temperate climate with reliable rainfall, averaging around 730mm annually. The surrounding landscape consists of industrial zones associated with the Latrobe Valley's power generation history, interspersed with grazing land and forestry. The local soils are typically acidic texture-contrast types, often featuring loamy topsoils overlying heavy clay subsoils (Sodosols or Chromosols).

Notable operational details include the involvement of specialized contractors Ennovo and Evo Energy Technologies. Ennovo supplied a 750 m³/hr high-temperature flare and the gas collection infrastructure, while Evo Energy installed a 900kW biogas generator. This generation capacity allows the council to offset approximately 80% of its electricity needs, producing around 7,000 MWh of renewable energy annually. The initiative has previously been recognized as a finalist in the Premier's Sustainability Awards.