Affinity Water has unveiled plans to multiply its solar power arrays at pumping stations across its region as part of £29 million investment to reach net zero.
The company will add 28 more arrays in the second phase of its energy efficiency programme, after setting up its first two plants in 2022.
The company will use land at pumping station sites to house the solar panels to generate electricity for the energy intensive pumping.
Affinity will work with Vital Energi to generate 10% of its electricity needs through solar, while also using wind power and battery storage at its sites and electrifying its vehicle fleet
Water companies in England and Wales set a goal of reaching net zero by 2030 for scope 1 and 2 emissions.
By 2050 Affinity said it plans to be decarbonised in line with UK-wide targets, for which it anticipates investing £29 million in solar power.
It aims to increase the current annual output from the first two sites to generate 23.5MW annually and save more than 75,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. For the second phase, the company will significantly increase its output across 28 extra sites.
“Energy is the second largest cost to our business and has increased significantly in recent months due to global supply factors, it is also a significant contributor to our carbon footprint,” said Ben Hayward, programme delivery manager. “Our plans will look at our asset infrastructure, improve our energy data and insight, and build resilience while developing our people and culture.”
Affinity intends to be carbon negative for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by the end of this decade, which includes its heat and electricity consumption. By 2050 it will target efforts to drive indirect emissions down to zero.
The company’s routemap to achieve this incorporates targets to low per capita consumption of water by 130 million litres daily through its Save our Streams efficiency campaign and water neutrality at housing developments. By producing and moving less water, the company will lower energy consumption as it plans to cut usage by 7.5% by 2030.
Last summer, the two existing arrays generated more than 1,095MWh of electricity, which saved Affinity more than £215,000 in energy costs.