In a major boost to its operations in the country, Veolia Australia has been awarded two water management contracts, and had a third one extended. Together, these three deals are worth $700 million.
Central Highlands Water signed a 15-year contract with Veolia for six water treatment plants across the region, with a five-year option.
The contract has been coupled with a sustainable energy contract for the first three years.
“Our new partnership enables the delivery of Central Highland Water’s 2040 ‘More than Water’ aspirations in caring for our community and environment, ensuring essential water services are safe, reliable and affordable now and into the future,” Central Highlands Water managing director Jeff Hayden says.
Hunter Water also engaged Veolia for a further 10 years, with an additional five-year option.
Veolia will continue to operate and maintain all of Hunter Water’s treatment facilities, including the new Belmont Desalination Plant once it is operational.
The company will develop new technologies to reduce the facility’s energy consumption. It follows on from Veolia’s previous service contract, which has seen it operate Hunter Water’s facilities since 2014 and currently serves more than half a million Australians.
“Hunter Water is a perfect example of how Hubgrade — our digital platform — can create real value for our customers and their community. At the Belmont wastewater plant, for example, Hubgrade will help to reduce energy use by 18 percent and strengthen water security during major storm events,” Veolia Australia and New Zealand CEO and managing director Richard Kirkman says.
Apart from these two contracts, Seqwater has also extended Veolia’s operation and management (O&M) contract for the Gold Coast Desalination Plant for up to four years.
With Seqwater, Veolia is installing 2,500 solar panels, which will produce 2.32 GWh of emissions free energy, the equivalent of removing up to 400 cars from the road every year.
The plant can produce up to 43GL of fresh drinking water every year for residents of South East Queensland, and plays a vital role in providing a critical source of drinking water during floods and natural disasters.
Veolia operates 68 water, wastewater and recycled water treatment plants across Australia. Its operators deliver 1,480ML of drinking water to three million Australians.
This is on top of treating a combined 660ML a day of wastewater, recycled water, and industrial water, while operating and maintaining 392km of large-diameter bulk water pipeline.
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