Gas-electric scheme proposed for Woy Woy tip

A proposal to generate electricity from underground gas at Woy Woy tip will be considered by Gosford Council tonight (Tuesday).

AGL Energy Services has advised the Council that the proposal for the Woy Woy landfill site was viable.

In a report to council, it was estimated that there would be a saving of up to $870,000 in the purchase of electricity from AGL to supply Kincumber and Woy Woy sewerage treatment plants over the 15 year life of the project.

However, council officers also stated: "At this stage there is no compelling reason to manage the gas at Woy Woy.

"The EPA's landfill licence requires council to monitor surface, subsurface and accumulated gas monitoring.

"However, in this climate of good environmental management, it would be prudent for council to proceed with this as a viable electricity generation project."

Council officers have advised that options available included purchasing the infrastructure - gas extraction and reticulation system and a flare - and self managing the gas.

This would require hiring additional staff with the required expertise in managing extraction of gas from the landfill and flaring the gas.

Alternatives were to pay AGL to extract and flare the gas without council having to purchase the infrastructure, or to accept a recent AGL proposal for council to pay a fixed up-front sum for AGL to manage the gas.

There would be additional legal costs for Council for development and completion of contract documents.

Council agenda DH.031, March 25