News

Colac RON makes further progress

4 August 2025

Barwon Water’s Colac Renewable Organics Network (RON) is surging towards completion, marking a major milestone in regional sustainability and industrial collaboration.

Construction of the RON facility kicked off in August 2022 and is now in its final phase, with the plant already up and running. The system is providing renewable electricity by transforming organic trade waste from local partners, Australian Lamb Company (ALC) and Bulla Dairy Foods, into valuable electricity and heat to produce hot water. This collaboration is not only driving down operational costs for local industry but also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One final construction element remains, with completion expected by the end of 2025.

Once fully operational, the Colac RON will produce up to 5.5 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity, enough to supply the entire Colac Water Reclamation Plant and the equivalent of 1,100 homes. On top of keeping Barwon Water bills affordable, the project is set to cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 4,200 tonnes.

With full benefits predicted to flow from 2026 onwards, the Colac RON stands as a showcase for innovative partnerships and the power of renewable energy to drive sustainable growth in the region.


Image: Renewable energy plant at Colac WRP