First food waste delivery at Lilydale’s new renewable energy hub
Developed by Yarra Valley Water, the state-of-the-art facility will transform food waste from local businesses into renewable electricity, helping to cut greenhouse gas emissions, divert waste from landfill and support Victoria’s circular economy.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Natalie Foeng said the first delivery was a proud milestone after years of planning and construction.
“This moment marks the beginning of operations at our Lilydale facility and an important step in creating clean, renewable electricity from food that would otherwise go to waste,” she said.
“This facility will generate more than a third of our renewable electricity needs at full capacity and provide a reliable waste solution for local businesses.”
Lilydale is the second and largest food waste to energy facility Yarra Valley Water has constructed and builds on the success of its first award-winning site in Wollert.
Local food producers and distributors are delivering organic waste to the Lilydale site, where it is processed inside sealed tanks known as digesters. Bacteria naturally break down the waste to create biogas, which is used to generate renewable electricity.
Once fully operational, the facility will process approximately 55,000 tonnes of food waste each year and generate over 39,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per day. That is the equivalent of powering more than 2,200 Victorian households.
Ms Foeng said this project is part of Yarra Valley Water’s broader commitment to sustainable action and keeping costs low for customers.
“As one of Melbourne’s major water utilities, we’re always looking for practical ways to operate efficiently and sustainably, while delivering value to our customers and communities,” she said.
“By reducing waste and generating renewable electricity, we’re taking action to meet our Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction targets and taking pressure off water bills.”
Yarra Valley Water is on target to report net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions this financial year in line with the Victorian Government’s Statement of Obligations (Emission Reduction).
The Lilydale facility will gradually increase operations over the coming months as testing and commissioning continue, ensuring the right mix of food waste is used to optimise future electricity production.
The site is expected to start generating renewable electricity in early 2026 and reach full capacity over the following year. For more information visit www.yvw.com.au/Lilydale-fwte
Fast facts
Once fully operational it will:
- Process 55,000 tonnes of food waste each year
- Produce over 39,000 kWh of renewable electricity per day - the equivalent of powering 2,200 Victorian homes
- Offset more than one-third of Yarra Valley Water’s electricity needs
- Support Victoria’s circular economy and emissions reduction goals