NI Water has invested £2.3 million in three hydro turbines at Ballygomartin, Breda and Purdysburn - across the three sites, the turbines are expected to produce approximately 900 megawatt-hours of electricity annually as part of the utility’s Energy Reduce Use Programme.

The project, supported by the Department for the Economy’s Invest to Save initiative, is expected to reduce reliance on grid electricity, operational costs and carbon emissions.

NI Water has completed the innovative investment in three hydro turbines at Ballygomartin Water Pumping Station, Breda Service Reservoir and Purdysburn Service Reservoir, helping to improve energy efficiency and reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

At Ballygomartin Water Pumping Station, NI Water installed a 63kW Hydro Turbine which is anticipated to self-power the pumping system while exporting surplus renewable energy back to the grid.

Local engineering specialist BSG served as main contractor, with Hydroplan appointed as design lead, supported by consultancy firm McAdam Design.

The improvements will help the company reduce its operational costs by making better use of existing infrastructure. Among the few of their kind in the UK and Ireland, the hydro turbines will provide the sites’ main source of energy, reducing reliance on the grid while exporting surplus renewable electricity to the grid.

Damien O’Mullan, Director of Transformation and Innovation at NI Water said,

“As Northern Ireland’s largest electricity user, the installations will help offset grid electricity use, and reduce costs and carbon emissions. By harnessing the power of the hydro turbines, we can generate clean, efficient energy to help deliver essential water services to our customers. At Ballygomartin, where around 3.5 million litres of water is pumped each day to Whiterock Upper Service Reservoir, the installation of the hydro turbine will provide a more energy efficient service for approximately 4,700 domestic and 600 non-domestic customers.

“By making innovative use of existing infrastructure and resources, this investment demonstrates how collaboration across government can deliver practical benefits for our customers, communities and the environment. With funding support and effective partnership working, the project marks an important step in NI Water’s journey to sustainably reduce our energy costs.”

Katrina Duddy, Head of Energy Management at the Department for the Economy commented:

“This project demonstrates the practical value of investing in hydro power and working collaboratively across government. Hydro turbines capture energy from water already moving through NI Water’s infrastructure, providing a reliable source of clean, on-site electricity without affecting the delivery of essential water services.

“Through the Department’s Energy Invest to Save initiative, the project will reduce reliance on grid electricity, lower energy costs and carbon emissions, strengthen energy resilience and enable surplus renewable electricity to be exported to the grid - delivering lasting benefits for customers, communities and the environment.”