Hutt City Rubbish Powers National Grid

At a time when power conservation is paramount, Hutt City and its joint venture electricity generation partner Mighty River Power are expanding the generation capacity at Council's landfill in Silverstream.

Currently there is enough gas to generate 1.4 megawatts of electricity .

Work is underway on new wells that will increase that capacity to 2.7 megawatts. The increase in output will provide enough electricity to supply approximately 1,000 households.

Hutt City Divisional Manager Street Services, Bruce Sherlock referred to the joint venture operation with Mighty River Power at the Silverstream landfill as a 'win-win scenario.'

"Hutt City wins because we share in the revenue from the electricity generated and the environment wins because the plant converts the methane gas from the rubbish into useful electricity."

The Silverstream station runs on methane gas produced as a result of the natural decomposition of rubbish in the landfill.

Doug Heffernan, Chief Executive of Mighty River Power said, "We are constantly striving to increase the sustainability of our operations and this project will ensure that the generation from this landfill is maximised. The community, nation, environment and the company all benefit"

Hutt City Council has also implemented a range of measures to save electricity across the organisation.

These include:

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Staff encouraged to turn off all non-essential lighting and turn off computers and monitors on leaving work *

Turning off all decorative lighting around the city, including Petone Wharf (streetlighting will not be included because of safety concerns) *

Configuring water supply pumping stations to run at non-peak times.

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