A Year in Review
The last financial year was a very busy one at LGI with some significant milestones achieved both in terms of technological advancements and the environmental benefits achieved at landfills around Australia.
The total amount of carbon abated from the atmosphere across all sites now stands at 7 million tonnes, which is the equivalent of planting 120 million seedlings over 10 years!
The total amount of renewable energy generated was 543 GW – all dispatchable and available 24/7 when and where needed.
We are excited to share our 23/24 Financial Year highlights so keep reading to learn more.
Toowoomba Renewable Power Station supplying the council behind the meter
The Toowoomba Waste Management Centre stands as a shining example and beacon of hope in the fight against climate change through landfill gas extraction.
For the first 12 months, LGI abated methane by flaring. Within two years, the centre was producing renewable power, leading the charge in Queensland for sustainable landfill practices.
As a first in Queensland, the centre uses extracted methane to generate renewable energy to supply a council’s waste water treatment plant behind the meter as well as the national power grid. This electricity powers between 90% and 100% of the council’s wastewater treatment plant, an essential community service and the council’s highest energy user.
To celebrate our success, we held an Open Day in September 2023, providing an opportunity to reflect and educate others on our innovation and methodologies. The financial benefits for council are substantial, with $600,000 saved annually in electricity costs (based on current tariffs) as well as receiving a share of project revenues. Significant environmental benefits are achieved in parallel, with approximately 200,000 tonnes of carbon abatement (CO2e) achieved to date.
Learn more about the success at Toowoomba, including the positive environmental impacts that continue to mount each year.
Mugga Lane Expansion
Going from mild to mighty, the Mugga Lane Renewable Energy Project has seen tremendous success this year, by kicking off the next phase of expansion of its carbon abatement and renewable energy capability.
We doubled biogas recovery and carbon abatement within the first year, thanks to infrastructure upgrades and the installation of a new power station. Ongoing increases in gas capture have enabled the 4MW power station, commissioned in 2020, to be expanded by 50% in 2024 to 6MW, with a new 20MW grid connection. A further upgrade to integrate a 12MW battery energy storage system, is planned for 2025.
This project has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, with around 120,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent abated annually. The facility generates approximately 50,000 MWh of renewable energy each year, enough to power nearly 10,800 homes. The introduction of a battery system will enable the storage and rapid dispatch of energy, particularly during peak demand periods, further stabilising the local electricity grid.
Review the full environmental statistics and council savings.
Bunya becomes a renewable hybrid with a battery
LGI pioneered the integration of a utility scale, grid connected battery with a landfill gas powered generator in an Australian first. Connecting the battery to the Jenbacher 312 power generator on a distribution grid was a world first.
The renewable energy can be stored in low demand periods and exported within microseconds as needed in high demand periods, to create more revenue, help stabilise the local electricity network system and better manage the increasing electricity market volatility.
The battery also provides Frequency Control Ancillary Services as a valuable new revenue stream. These frequency stabilisation services are increasingly required to support the integration of more renewables into the national electricity market.
Eastern Creek 4MW power station for Bingo Industries
In 2024, we were given the go-ahead to invest up to $18.5m into Bingo Industries’ Eastern Creek Landfill site in Western Sydney to install a 4MW renewable energy power station.
This initiative will harness landfill gas to generate renewable energy, sufficient to power approximately 7,000 homes. The energy will primarily support Bingo’s Eastern Creek Recycling Ecology Park and a state-wide network of transfer stations, with surplus energy contributing to the National Electricity Market.
It’s a phenomenal result as we work with a leading Australian private waste operator to enhance carbon abatement and sustainable energy practices in the region.
Bathurst New Landfill Gas Project
In 2024, we embarked on a significant upgrade to the Bathurst Landfill methane gas extraction system to align with its goal of a 60% emissions reduction by 2035. The existing system, which captured only 14% of methane emissions, is being significantly enhanced with the installation of 38 new gas wells. This improvement is expected to boost the methane capture rate to the high 80% range, substantially increasing the site’s environmental benefits.
This project, a collaboration with Bathurst Regional Council, not only aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). As well as delivering financial benefits to the council the project contributes to a cleaner, safer and more environmentally friendly landfill site.
The new biogas system, designed, installed and maintained by LGI, is part of a broader strategy to optimise gas extraction and carbon abatement. As of June 2024, the Bathurst Landfill had captured 1,030,000 cubic metres of biogas, resulting in an abatement of approximately 9,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. This effort is equivalent to taking 2,113 cars off the road annually and is a critical step towards meeting the council’s emission reduction targets.
Investor Day
It was an honour to host an esteemed group of interstate and local brokers for Investor Day at our Head Quarters in Eagle Farm, Brisbane. Inclusive of a site visit to our Bunya Renewable Hybrid Project which includes onsite battery storage, we were able to share valuable insights into our vision, future strategies and dynamic developments. Thank you to everyone who joined us in April and we look forward to another one in the coming year.
Waste Conference
This year’s Waste Conference in Coffs Harbour was a resounding success and definitely a highlight on our calendar. Our Business Development Manager, Katrina Nelson, spoke at length about the need to focus on solutions to the legacy issue we face with landfills.
Even once a landfill site is closed it will continue to produce harmful methane gas for decades to come. From flaring alone to renewable energy generation, LGI’s landfill site infrastructure can achieve both carbon abatement and renewable energy generation, to remove harmful gases while simultaneously creating benefits from them. With the addition of battery power, we have increased the benefit even further as these systems dispatch energy as needed while keeping the grid reliable and smooth.
Leadership Succession with our new CEO
We were very excited to announce the appointment of Jarryd Doran as the new Chief Executive Officer of LGI in February this year. Jarryd has been with us since April 2014 and brings a wealth of practical experience and waste industry knowledge to the role, having more recently served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) since May 2016.
“Today’s CEO appointment forms part of a planned leadership transition. Following a thorough evaluation, it became clear that Jarryd possessed the ideal combination of experience, leadership skills, and strategic vision to lead LGI through its next phase of growth.” – Chairman, Vik Bansal
At LGI, we are committed to transforming landfill gas into a valuable resource, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable energy initiatives. Our expertise in biogas capture and renewable energy generation not only contributes to a cleaner environment and safer landfill sites but also provides financial benefits through Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). We pride ourselves on delivering innovative, high-integrity solutions that enhance landfill management and promote environmental sustainability.
