Tatura employer Unilever Australasia has received Brumby Labor government support to install a $2.5 million heat and electricity co-generator that will help improve its efficiency, reduce its carbon footprint and secure jobs.
Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said Unilever Australasia employed 300 people at its Tatura site but experienced black-outs several times a year because of the site’s demand for electricity.
“We’re supporting Unilever with a $1.25 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) so it can continue operating in Tatura with its 300 permanent and casual staff,” Ms Allan said.
“The co-generator will be powered by natural gas and will produce heat for Unilever’s boilers and electricity needs to ensure a constant flow of power to the site.”
Ms Allan said Unilever Australasia would pay for the other half of the generator’s cost.
“This is an example of the Brumby Labor Government taking strong action to help businesses reduce their carbon footprints and protect the environment while still providing valuable employment for this region,” she said.
Ms Allan said the co-generator would produce 1.1 megawatt of electricity to help prevent the black-outs.
“The loss in productivity is a major inconvenience for a large business like Unilever Australasia,” she said.
“The 1.1 megawatt coming from the generator will provide 78 percent of the company’s power needs.
“It will also help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 44 per cent at the Tatura site.”
Ms Allan said RIDF had to date generated over $1 billion in infrastructure projects across Victoria.
“When the Liberal National Coalition voted against establishing RIDF, they voted against supporting regional and rural projects such as Unilever Australasia’s co-generator which is reducing emissions and securing jobs for Tatura and surrounding residents,” Ms Allan said.