Acciona hosts first community tour of Kwinana Energy Recovery facility

Kwinana Energy Recovery opened its doors to the community last month to offer a behind-the-scenes look at Australia’s first energy recovery facility.

The Acciona-owned facility started operating late last year, and on June 24 20 community members and City of Kwinana representatives were given a tour to see how it transforms non-recyclable waste into renewable energy while reducing reliance on landfill.

The tour included visits to the tipping hall, where waste is delivered, and a chance to sit in the driver’s seat of the mechanical crane used to sort materials.

Visitors also viewed the furnace where combustion takes place, as well as the conveyor system that recovers metals for recycling.

The tour ended at the carpark constructed using residual ash, showcasing the facility’s circular approach to resource recovery.

General manager Scott Reynolds said the visit was an important step in building community understanding of the technology.

“Energy recovery is still a new concept for many people in Australia, but it is widely used around the world,” Mr Reynolds said.

“Opening our doors helps the community understand how we safely manage non-recyclable waste while producing a reliable source of renewable energy.”

The facility processes up to 460,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste each year, diverting it from landfill and generating 38 megawatts of baseload renewable electricity — enough to power more than 55,000 homes.

It also recovers about 10,000 tonnes of metals annually for recycling and reuse.

Electricity generated onsite is supplied to the Western Power grid, while bottom ash is repurposed into construction materials, including the facility’s carpark.

“This tour gives locals a firsthand look at how the facility operates and the vital role it plays in sustainable waste management,” Mr Reynolds said.

“When people can see the processes up close, it helps build understanding and trust in what we do.

“I think visitors are often most interested in seeing the technology in action, particularly how materials are managed and processed, and learning about the strict environmental standards we work to and the safeguards that are in place.”

ACCIONA plans to hold regular tours and educational initiatives to increase understanding of energy recovery and its benefits.

Locals can sign up for a tour, hosted quarterly, by contacting Kwinana.energy@acciona.com.

Additional sessions may be scheduled, depending on demand.