![POWERING ALONG: Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson thinks a Forest Rd renewable power project isn't far away. POWERING ALONG: Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson thinks a Forest Rd renewable power project isn't far away.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/pMXRnDj3SUU44AkPpn97sC/9dca4a85-4dcf-4f12-921b-fe809893a632.JPG/r0_0_995_884_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
TAMWORTH Regional Council’s (TRC) potential move to power the hospital from landfill captured gas is a “win-win” according the state MP Kevin Anderson.
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Council is set to determine the future of an innovative gas capture project at the Forest Road facility, which TRC see as an ongoing source of renewable energy.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said increasing bio-energy in the area was “something that’s been in the pipeline for 18 months”.
“I’ve already had preliminary discussions with the Environment Minister (Mark Speakman), who is looking for projects and Energy Minister (Anthony Roberts) is looking for renewable energy projects,” Mr Anderson said.
The state MP a renewable energy program built around the Forest Road gas capture could get off the ground in the near future.
“I would like to think we could see something soon,” he said.
“Council are keen and I’m certainly keen.
“We need to look at the cost of building it and who would run it. Also how do you get electricity from the tip to another site.
“Would you use an existing network or a separate network.”
The hospital power project comes on the back of a four-month trial where TRC have been capturing and flaring gas at the site.
Council said the trial result were “encouraging”, with a “strong sustainable gas yield at the site”.
A report to council on Tuesday will determine the future of the project.
“Firstly, the project could be run by a third party provider,” TRC waste and water operations manager Dan Coe said.
This option means the provider would design, construct and operate a landfill gas system at their cost for a period of seven years and would receive income from the Australian Governments Emission Reduction Fund”.
“Under this option, council may receive a proportion of the income generated.”
Once the future direction for the Forest Road facility project is clear, the output of the captured gas will be determined.