Water & Energy Nexus Initiative
The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage funded NSW Farmers to conduct a study into the connection between energy costs and usage, and water-efficient irrigation practices.
The project involved desk top research coupled with a series of focused interviews with industry stakeholders (irrigators, engineers, policy makers)
The aims of the study were to:
- Clarify anecdotal evidence that high energy costs, particularly for electricity, were a barrier to adoption and usage of water efficient, pressurised irrigation systems.
- Seek advice from industry opinion leaders as the kind of program that would assist the irrigation sector in addressing the challenges
- Develop recommendations for Government
Following publication of the project report, NSW Farmers has collaborated with National Irrigators Council and its members bodies to seek funding for a national program as recommended by the study.
