Opal: bringing energy from waste to the Latrobe-Gippsland region
Opal is one of Australia’s leading recycling, paper and packaging businesses. With a heritage tracing back to Melbourne’s first paper mill on the banks of the Yarra River in 1868, Opal has been on a 150-year journey of innovation. Today, Opal is focused on reducing waste, creating new energy opportunities through its papermaking process, and working towards a low-carbon future for Australia’s Latrobe Valley and broader Gippsland region.
One of Opal’s key projects is the Maryvale Energy from Waste (EfW) facility which seeks to reshape how energy is generated and how the region can prosper through the use of new energy technologies. The proposed EfW facility will be located next to the Maryvale Mill in Victoria’s Latrobe region.
The Maryvale Mill is one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of pulp and paper. The mill, more fondly known as the ‘APM’ by locals, has been an employer for generations in the Latrobe Valley. In addition to its manufacturing activities, Opal also operates a wastepaper recycling facility at the site and is currently one of the largest generators and users of baseload renewable energy in Victoria.
Turning waste into opportunity
Energy from waste, or waste to energy, is a form of energy recovery that involves turning waste material into energy products like heat or electricity. This is an emerging technology in Australia and involves the thermal treatment of waste or waste-derived materials for the recovery of energy. There are approximately 2000 energy from waste facilities operating globally in places such as the United States, Japan and Europe.
Energy recovery will be an important source of renewable, sustainable energy and will play an important role in waste management for Opal. The Maryvale EfW facility will generate energy from the controlled combustion of non-hazardous residual waste materials, waste that would otherwise go to landfill. Following combustion, the EfW facility will capture and convert the released heat into steam and electricity, with sophisticated filtering technology ensuring compliance with emissions standards. It is expected to process approximately 625,000 tonnes of non-recyclable residual waste annually.
The EfW facility will be a first-of-its kind for Victoria and will be able to interchange between steam and electricity during the facility’s operation. This will allow for improved flexibility and efficiency. As for any excess energy, this would be fed back into the electricity grid.
Opal’s vision for this facility aligns closely with the broader Victorian and national ambitions to reduce emissions and reach net zero.
Nalini Wilkins, the Head of Safety and Environment said ‘we know how important the impact of the Maryvale Mill operations are on the environment, which is why we are looking at energy efficiency and renewable projects such as energy from waste.’ She added ‘the epitome of that is a circular economy because the waste that we produce from paper recycling is then turned into energy that feeds our operations’.
Supporting workers and strengthening the region
The EfW facility is being designed with the future of the region in mind. The transition to net zero relies on workers and the community. Opal’s EfW project seeks to support existing jobs at the Maryvale Mill by securing long-term energy reliability, creating new jobs throughout construction and once operational, build local skills and supply chains.
The EfW facility is expected to employ approximately 60 people full time on-site going forward and support approximately 450 jobs during construction through flow on jobs. Skilled workers such as boiler operators, logistics specialists, maintenance technicians, support staff, engineers and accountants and more will be essential to see the success of the facility.
Located in Morwell, Opal has established the Creating Energy from Waste Information Centre for visitors and community members to learn, engage and ask questions about the facility.
This project represents a pathway from the past to the future, by refocusing the region’s energy legacy to new, sustainable industries. To learn more about Opal’s EfW facility, visit their energy form waste webpage.
How the Authority is supporting Latrobe-Gippsland
The Authority’s focus has been to understand what is required to develop new industries and create employment pathways for transitioning workers in the Latrobe-Gippsland region. This includes exploring long-term priorities for regional economic development and investment. We are also considering how the Authority’s Energy Industry Jobs Plan can support workers and communities ahead of the scheduled closure of the Yallourn Power Station in 2028.
The Latrobe community workshops, recently held by the Authority together with Regional Development Victoria, brought together government, industry, unions and residents to discuss shared priorities and opportunities to support workers, diversify regional economy and guide a people-focused transition to a net zero future.
Find out more on how the Authority is supporting the Latrobe-Gippsland community transition to a net zero economy on our Latrobe-Gippsland region page.