Affinity Water has begun works at two production sites at Chertsey and Walton to install solar panels to generate 1.5MWp of renewable energy as part of its plans to achieve net zero operational emissions by 2030.
The £29 million investment in solar power is a key first step in a wider renewables and efficiency programme and forms a key pillar of Affinity Water’s ambitious Plan for Net Zero.
The UK's largest water-only supplier has commissioned experts in the installation of industrial renewable energy generation, Centrica Business Solutions and HBS New Energies, to carry out the works.
The rollout will be expanded to further sites in Phase 2 of the project and on completion the solar panels will generate 23.5 MWh per annum of clean and renewable energy and save 75,011 tCO2e over a 20-year asset life.
Further phases will deliver installations of solar energy, along with the introduction of wind power and battery storage solutions across our sites and the transition of our fleet to Electric Vehicles.
Affinity Water have also shifted to a 100% REGO (or Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin) backed renewable energy tariff, meaning that they have power purchase agreements for green energy contracted for 100% of carbon emitting electricity consumed by all its pumping stations, buildings, and sites.
By 2030 the company will generate 10% of their baseload energy usage from their own renewable energy generation assets like solar, wind or hydrogen and thereby reducing reliance on the National Grid.
Graham Deans, Head of Estates and Facilities at Affinity Water said:
“We’re pleased to take this important first step to develop our renewables portfolio as we continue to play our part and realise our Plan for Net Zero operational emissions by 2030 and improving energy efficiency. In working with Centrica Business Solutions and HBS New Energies we have the expertise on board to deliver and I’m looking forward to progressing the next phases of our plan in the months and years ahead.
“Tackling climate change and reaching Net Zero is one of the biggest challenges the world faces and our customers and stakeholders are looking to us to see what we are doing to achieve it.”
Graham Phillips, Head of Solar at Centrica Business Solutions, added:
“There is increased scrutiny on all businesses to be putting in place measures that help reduce their emissions. Water companies have diverse estates which lend themselves to solar developments that can be implemented without any impact on day-to-day operations.”
James Bull, Managing Director at HBS New Energies commented:
“I am delighted that Affinity Water has chosen HBS New Energies as a strategic solar partner to develop their renewable generation portfolio and support them on their journey to achieving net-zero operational emissions by 2030.
“We look forward to delivering the first phase of this exciting solar programme. It is a crucial first step to helping cut Affinity Water's carbon footprint and reducing its reliance on grid-supplied electricity."
The works are progressing and are due to be completed in early 2022.
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