Tip gas to power 400 homes

Earthbound gas from Woy Woy and Kincumber rubbish tips will be sold under a contract between Gosford Council and AGL.

Mayor Cr Laurie Maher has announced the contract, which would see the gas converted into "green" electricity.

"Landfill gas" consists of 45 to 60 per cent methane and 40 to 60 per cent carbon dioxide and is created by the decomposition of organic material," Cr Maher said.

"This project is a win/win situation as it prevents landfill gas emissions entering the atmosphere while providing a clean energy source that eliminates the burning of fossil fuels."

Council officers stated that the installation of the gas wells for the extraction of landfill gas was already complete.

They stated that gas flow rates from the wells were now being monitored and extracted gas flared off prior to the installation of electricity generation units that would be powered by the landfill gas.

They stated that flow rate monitoring would take a minimum of six months, followed by the installation of generators.

"The generation units will be connected to the local electricity grid and collectively produce enough green energy to power up to 400 homes annually," Cr Maher said.

Council officers stated that present estimates put the commercial gas life of the landfill sites at around 15 years.

Press release, 29 Mar 2007 Marion Newall, Gosford Council