Southern Water has signed an eight-year framework contract spanning AMP7 and AMP8 with solar developers this week as part of an exciting net zero initiative.
As part of an ongoing plan for the company to be net zero by 2030, solar power will be deployed directly via onsite installations to deliver zero carbon electricity for 30 years.
The framework, known as the Solar PPA Framework, is for 3rd party developers to own the solar, lease the land and sell the electricity to Southern Water, which it will use directly on sites.
Following a RFI and subsequent competitive process and tender award, Southern Water established a Framework panel of Private Wire Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) providers to work in partnership with SWS, to explore and develop onsite and offsite third party funded solar renewable projects.
Commenting on the framework, the water company said it is committed to reducing energy costs, whilst increasing the amount of renewable generation on sites for customers.
This aligns with Southern Water's environmental commitments and the English Water Sectors strategy to become Net Carbon Zero by 2030.
In scope of the contract were:
- Feasibility studies and development
- Funding, building and maintenance of private wire solar power purchase agreements
- Battery storage opportunities related to the installed solar arrays
- Community energy support services linked to the installed solar arrays
- Trading platforms and technology e.g. optimisation platform and / or software packages (e.g. Virtual Power Plant)
- Commercial opportunities and developments in operating models e.g. flexibility services and opportunities with the Customer’s DNO
- Other associated solar products and services
The suppliers appointed to the framework are:
- CenEden Renewables Ltd
- Downing Energy Development Company Ltd
- FES Services Ltd
In the first phase, 13 water and wastewater sites totalling 22,463 solar panels (4.9 Hectares) will be offered as a mini tender for three bidders to compete for. The first phase will be awarded by the end of 2022.
Speaking about the project, Thaddeus Dell, Solar Project lead, said:
“This project is about tackling our carbon emissions and doing the right thing. The climate change conference and our net zero carbon commitment prompted us to go faster and be even more ambitious.”
Kirsten Abbott, Commercial Energy Lead, added:
“Our objective is to achieve solar power generation alongside biodiversity net gain improvements to our sites. We look forward to working with our framework suppliers to deliver great quality projects for the benefit of our customers.”
Covering Kent, East and West Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Southern Water serves 2.6 million customers with drinking water and 4.6 million with wastewater services.
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