Solar panels placed at a Welsh Water wastewater treatment centre aim to provide a five-fold increase in solar energy to the site.
Located at the Five Fords works in Wrexham, an additional 40,000 solar panels will be placed close to the facility, in addition to the 10,000 already on site, complimenting existing biomethane production and Combined Heat and Power engines.
When added together, it should equate to around 8% of Welsh Water’s annual electricity and gas use – enough energy to power around 4,500 homes.
Welsh Water will collaborate with Innova Renewables on the project, with the renewable energy company already holding a portfolio of solar assets across England and Wales.
Energy self-sufficiency is an important element of Welsh Water’s target to reach Net-Zero by 2040 with the company also looking to cut the amount that it spends on power to ensure value-for-money for bill payers.
Over the past few years Welsh Water has invested £36m to turn Five Fords into a model green energy site. It uses multiple energy technologies, including “poo power”, a renewable gas fuel from sewage which uses bacteria to produce methane.
Andrew Dixon, Head of Energy Efficiency at Welsh Water said:
“In 2015, we shared our vision for the Five Fords site to become an ‘energy park’, starting with technology to turn biomethane into energy that feeds into the national grid, and going on to pioneer multiple renewable energy technologies for the benefit of the environment.
“This solar development is a major step towards Welsh Water becoming self-sufficient in our energy needs, reducing our carbon footprint and adding to the innovative technologies already on site. With the introduction of this technology, Five Fords will be producing around 8% of Welsh Water’s annual energy demand for electricity and gas which is major progress for our journey to Net Zero.”
Image courtesy of Welsh Water
