Delivering Solar for Northumbrian Water
Spring has finally sprung and as the sunshine makes a rare appearance, Northumbrian Water is finalising plans to harness its power to help protect the environment.
The utilities firm is drafting in a team of experts, to install and operate 10 new solar farms at Northumbrian Water (NWG) sites that will generate 10 gigawatt hours of electrical power – enough to power more than 3,000 homes.
Earlier this month, Northumbrian Water announced it would power all 1,858 of its sites using renewable electricity for the next four years, after signing an agreement with Danish energy supplier Ørsted.
NWG is now building a partnership with Lightsource BP, which has already started ecological, operational and electrical assessments of Water and Sewage Works for 10 ground-mount solar photovoltaic systems across its operating area.
The project will enable the company to take another step towards carbon neutrality, while reducing its own energy costs.
Graham Southall, NWG Commercial Director, said: “We have a genuine desire to work with suppliers who share our passion to deliver excellence across our industry while protecting our planet by reducing our carbon footprint. This project will deliver a great result for our customers, the environment and our business.”
Lightsource BP has an impressive record of delivering solar power across Europe, providing sustainable power alongside significant cost savings to clients.
NWG, which provides water and sewerage services across the North East of England as well as being the parent company of Essex and Suffolk Water, was impressed with Lightsource BP’s track record of delivery and the commercial offering.
Lightsource BP is the largest utility-scale solar developer and largest operations and maintenance services provider in Europe, with over $3bn of capital invested across 2GW of global solar projects.
It is a global leader in the funding, development and long-term management of solar PV projects and has worked with many large energy users and water utilities companies. The firm already has agreements with major brands like Bentley Motors and Ameycespa.
Chief Executive, Nick Boyle, said: “We are truly delighted to be appointed as Northumbrian Water’s strategic partner in the delivery of this project.
“Choosing to procure solar electricity in this way will provide Northumbrian Water with a long-term hedging strategy against rising costs in today’s volatile energy market.
“Solar is a locally generated, cost-competitive, reliable and clean alternative that will be a good addition to Northumbrian Water’s energy mix. We are looking forward to working with the team to deliver these 10 sites in the next year.”
Related news
05 Jul, 2024
Sharing knowledge and charting the path for the future of solar – Lightsource bp Q2 2024 events wrap up
Lightsource bp’s teams have been on the road throughout the second quarter of 2024, take a look at what they've been up too.
03 Jul, 2024
Zosia Riesner discusses Lightsource bp’s partnerships and shares power market insights on NPM Europe’s podcast
Zosia Riesner, Lightsource bp Director of Power Markets for Europe, appeared on the Interconnections podcast to share insights on the continent’s power market.
28 Jun, 2024
Lightsource bp global legal team ‘Highly Commended’ at The Lawyer Awards 2024
Lightsource bp’s global legal team was highly commended for ‘In-house commerce and industry team of the year’ at The Lawyer Awards 2024.
28 Jun, 2024
How artificial intelligence (AI) is helping Lightsource bp enhance its operations
We are increasingly using AI to help us work smarter and find solutions to overcome significant challenges.
25 Jun, 2024
Netherlands: Championing sustainable energy, biodiversity and agrivoltaics in partnership with the British Embassy
Lightsource bp Netherlands partnered with the British Embassy to celebrate King Charles III's Birthday, while promoting the benefits of agrivoltaics.
21 Jun, 2024
European Solar Day: Celebrating the solar opportunity
The longest day of 2024 in the Northern Hemisphere is 21 June, it also marks European Solar Day, an annual celebration marking the power and potential of the sun.
20 Jun, 2024
Lightsource bp publishes 2023 Sustainability Report
Lightsource bp, a global leader in solar development, is pleased to publish its 2023 Sustainability Report.
07 Jun, 2024
Spain: Agrivoltaics workshop held in partnership with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy
Lightsource bp is ramping up its capabilities to deliver important agrivoltaics projects to support sustainable farming businesses.
24 May, 2024
Spain: Collaboration on research project to study Lesser Kestrel habitats
Lightsource bp collaborates with CSIC on research project to study Lesser Kestrel habitat use in Spain.
16 May, 2024
Raising the bar for agriculture and solar
In the heart of central France, Lightsource bp is working with a local cattle farmer to develop plans for a new form of agrivoltaic project.