City of London-based investment manager Downing LLP has announced it is partnering with specialist solar developer and consultancy Ennoviga Solar to develop and construct a portfolio of five ground-mounted solar generators that will exclusively serve Northumbrian Water.
Downing’s investment amounts to £3.7 million and represents its first investment into solar assets commissioned by a UK regulated utility company.
Anthony Browne, Energy and Decarbonisation Manager at Northumbrian Water said:
“Solar power is a key component of our industry-leading Net Zero 2027 commitment. NWL are the first and only water company to use 100% of our sewage waste to produce green energy and we already have 9 hydroelectric power stations at our sites. Working with Downing and Ennoviga has enabled us to accelerate our renewable energy programme – delivering benefits for the environment and helping us to keep water bills low”.
Northumbrian Water Ltd. (NWL) supplies mains water and sewerage services to 2.7 million people across the northeast of England, with its service area reaching between Berwick to just south of Darlington and Middlesbrough. The solar generators will generate some total of 5.7 MWp of electricity that is delivered directly to NWL operational assets and contribute to NWL’s 2027 net zero target.
Paul Barker, Investment Director at Downing, commented:
“We’re really happy to be joining forces with Ennoviga to deliver this vital project for NWL. NWL has the UK’s most ambitious net zero ambitions and by delivering for NWL, Downing further underlines its commitment to responsible investment. Partnering with Ennoviga has been a refreshing experience. Stefano and his team’s experience and drive for delivering high-quality solar assets set a great foundation for a successful project.”
Northumbrian Water has set itself the industry-leading target of achieving net zero operational emissions by 2027. The water company has already reduced its emissions from 303,000 tonnes of CO2e in 2008 to just 56,000 tonnes in 2020. NWL’s Emission Possible plan sets out how the company will use renewable energy, green vehicles and innovative process changes to achieve Net Zero.
Stefano Gambro, Managing Director at Ennoviga, added:
The need for energy-intensive industries, such as water companies, to reduce their carbon footprint has never been greater. By combining with Downing’s expertise and passion for developing renewable energy assets, I believe we will achieve our goal.”
The company published its Emission Possible plan in July 2021 ahead of COP26 for achieving Net Zero carbon by 2027 – 23 years ahead of the UK Government’s 2050 target.
Click here to read the plan online
Want to know more about Northumbrian Water’s AMP7 investment plans? Winning new business with the water companies in England and Wales in AMP7 and AMP8 between now and 2030?
Our report Complete AMP7 Contracts Tier 1 Alliances and Tier 1 Contractors April 2020 - 2025 contains details of the companies, the alliances, the contracts they’re already working on in the UK water sector, together with hundreds of key named contacts. Click here for more information and details of how to order.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
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.