Welsh joins the trend to commit to 100% renewable energy (continue)

100 multinationals commit to 100 per cent renewable power   BusinessGreen RE100 initiative celebrates milestone with confirmation that Blue Chip firms are on track to create demand for renewable power equivalent to the total electricity demand of Poland. The RE100 initiative has confirmed that over 100 multinationals have now committed to sourcing 100 per cent renewable power, after AkzoNobel, AXA, Burberry, and Carlsberg today became the latest high profile brands to join the group.

Water supplier seals deal with DONG Energy to secure green electricity supply and bags £250m loan from European Investment Bank to boost on-site renewables capacity

Taking a shower, flushing the loo or even making a cup of tea just got more sustainable for the people of Wales with the news Welsh Water has switched to 100 per cent green electricity.

The utility announced late last week it has inked a new supply contract with DONG Energy to ensure all the electricity it draws from the grid comes from renewable sources.

The move complements Welsh Water’s own efforts to generate renewable heat and power on site as it tries to cut the cost of its £44m annual energy bill.

The company currently generates 20 per cent of its energy from wind, hydro, solar, and advanced anaerobic digestion, and aims to boost this to 30 per cent by 2019.

“We are delighted to begin our contract with DONG as it secures green energy for the next five years while offering good value for our customers,” Steve Wilson, Welsh Water’s managing director of wastewater services said in a statement. “We’ve significantly increased the amount of energy we generate at our sites over the past few years by embracing technologies such as solar panels, hydro turbines, anaerobic digestion and our first wind generation sites in the past 12 months.

“By incorporating these sources with the green energy we now receive from DONG, we really are able to make a meaningful contribution to protecting our environment from the effects of climate change.”

The utility also announced last week it has secured a £250m loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to fund the next stage of its on-site renewable energy plans and wider capital expenditure strategy.

Projects include turning Welsh Water’s Five Fords wastewater treatment plant into an “innovative energy park” featuring solar, hydro, and a pioneering bio-methane gas-to-grid system featuring an “advanced anaerobic digestion” plant. In total, Welsh Water plans to spend £1.7bn between 2015 and 2020 on upgrading its facilities and boosting clean energy production.

Jonathan Taylor, vice president of the EIB, said: “Here in Wrexham Welsh Water is showing the world how investment to improve wastewater treatment can harness renewable energy from diverse sources. Pioneering innovation such as this is crucial to cut emissions and ensure that companies can contribute to climate action. The EIB is pleased to have supported this and other transformational investment by Welsh Water.” To read more click here