Use it or burn it
In 2024, the Kate Valley Landfill was producing in excess of 3,300 cubic metres of gas per hour (m3/h). Each Jenbacher generator consumes approximately 500m3/h of landfill gas to produce 1MW of electrical energy. The current power lines have reached their capacity and are currently limiting the amount of electricity that can be exported from the site. Typically three generators are operating with one of the four shutdown for servicing and maintenance.
The gas fired leachate evaporator (BeneVap) also consumes landfill gas in its operation.
The Gareth James Energy Park has a purpose-built landfill gas flare, designed specifically with a maximum flaring capacity of 3,800m3/h, to burn and destroy all of the excess gas not used for generation.
This size of flare enables all the landfill gas to be destroyed should the generators not be able to operate due to grid outages. A second flare will be installed in2024/2025.