Southern Water has appointed Forrest as sole contractor to a renewable energy framework to install solar panels across the utility firm’s sites.
The contractor will design, install and maintain both ground and roof-mounted PV systems for Southern Water under the five-year framework.
Southern Water has already identified the first three sites where solar will be installed – Testwood, Otterbourne and Hardham.
Between them, the three sites will generate approximately 4,318,652kWh a year.
Work has already begun on installing 1.9MW of ground-mounted PV at Testwood.
Southern Water’s energy manager, Martin Ross, said the solar schemes are “part of a much bigger package of work already in place”.
“Seventeen per cent of our total energy use now comes from renewable sources, putting us among the best in the industry,” said Ross.
Forrest’s energy services director, Paul McCarren, added: “Coupled with its wider package of sustainability work, this programme of solar installations will help Southern Water meet its aims of operating as a more environmentally-friendly business.
“As energy-intensive organisations, water utilities providers are in a great position to invest in renewable technology. It helps reduce their reliance on fossil fuels while moderating high energy costs in the long term.”