Stanhope Bioenergy Project 223 Hill Road Stanhope

Stanhope Bioenergy Project 223 Hill Road Stanhope is an Alternative Waste Treatment (AWT) project located in Stanhope, Northern Victoria, approximately 40km west of the regional hub of Shepparton. Registered in August 2024, the project is developed by Delorean Energy Victoria One Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the ASX-listed bioenergy infrastructure company Delorean Corporation. The facility is co-located with the Waranga Green Energy Piggery at the 223 Hill Road address, strategically positioned within the Goulburn Valley's intensive agricultural zone.

The project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Alternative Waste Treatment) Methodology Determination 2015. This methodology involves diverting mixed solid waste, specifically organic and agricultural waste streams in this case, away from landfills where they would otherwise degrade and release methane. Instead, the waste is processed in an anaerobic digester to capture biogas. This gas is then combusted to generate renewable energy. Current development plans indicate the facility (referred to corporately as "VIC1") is designed to process approximately 54,000 tonnes of waste per annum in its first stage, generating roughly 1.2MW of baseload electricity for the grid.

The Stanhope region is characterized by a semi-arid to temperate climate with an average annual rainfall of approximately 450mm, heavily supplemented by irrigation to support the area's extensive dairy and fruit industries. The local terrain is flat, featuring soils that are typically red-brown earths and clay loams (Sodosols and Vertosols), which are well-suited to the intensive fodder cropping and grazing surrounding the facility.

An interesting note on this project is its circular economy integration; it is designed to accept organic waste from local third-party suppliers, including major local dairy manufacturers and the co-located piggery, effectively turning regional agricultural by-products into energy. While Delorean Corporation holds a 90% stake in the project, the remaining 10% is held by the local owners of the Waranga Green Energy site.