From April 1 2018, a new green electricity deal will cover everything from the company′s largest treatment works down to its smallest telemetry systems. The agreement with Ørsted is one of the biggest contracts the water company has ever awarded.
The company is currently the only water company in the UK to use 100 percent of its sewage sludge for clean energy generation through advanced anaerobic digestion. This activity is carried out at its treatment works in Howdon, on Tyneside. At Bran Sands, on Teesside, the company has also installed a 931-panel solar array on the roof, and in addition, it is home to England′s largest hydro plant at Kielder Water.
Ørsted supplies renewable electricity from nine offshore wind farms in the UK, with the energy backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs). This means Northumbrian Water can achieve 125,000 tonnes of CO2 savings each year - over 600 times the weight of the Angel of the North.
“Energy is an essential part of our business and our contract with Ørsted has enabled us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint, as well as driving down costs” said Northumbrian Water′s commercial director, Graham Southall.
Philip Carvel, category manager, added that Northumbrian Water wants to work with forward thinking, responsible supply partners and that Ørsted is a market leader in green energy solutions. Combining this with a highly competitive commercial offer means that the company can keep costs down as well as reduce its environmental impact.
In 2016, Ørsted also announced that it would supply renewable electricity at no additional cost premium, so that UK businesses can achieve their sustainability ambitions without commercial disadvantage.
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