United Utilities has invested £1.5 million to install 5281 solar panels at one of its most energy intensive sites, Fleetwood Wastewater Treatment Works.
The installation is the second biggest in the North West and triggers the start of a five year £100 million investment which will see the water company ramp up its use of clean solar energy.
Neil Carroll, United Utilities Energy Manager said:
“Our aim over the next five years is to create solar systems across a number of our sites in the North West which will help us run parts of our processes using clean electricity.”
“For a business like us, solar energy just makes sense. We’re committed to increasing efficiency and reducing the cost of energy to run our sites, therefore reducing the effect of rising energy costs on us and our customers’ bills - while also helping to reduce pollution and protect our environment.”
The energy generated once United Utilities’ investment is complete will be enough to power over 24,000 domestic homes.
Another boost for the region will see only local North West companies carrying out the installation work on the United Utilities sites.
Combined with solar use, the water company is planning to install wind turbines at a number of sites to continue its plan to reduce reliance on grid supplied electricity.
Craig Nienaber, Business Development Manager for Safe Access Solutions (SAS) at HUBER Technology, explores why the company is seeing a growing level of interest in its safe access solutions for critical infrastructure providers, including their application in wastewater treatment assets.
Albion Water, the first NAV (New Appointment & Variation) to have been established in1999 and now under the ownership of SDS Water Group, has appointed Andy Holland as its new Director of Business Development.
UK water companies are invited to join an upcoming webinar which will explore how the sector can take indirect potable reuse (IPR) from concept to full-scale operational reality.
James Sumsion, CEO of predictive water intelligence specialists Kohtari, says the water sector needs to take a giant leap forward, so that it can anticipate and act upon water quality issues - rather than merely react.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.