Welsh Water Pledges To Achieve Net Zero Carbon By 2040

Welsh Water, the only non-profit utility company in Wales and England, has pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040, with further plans in place to become 100 per cent energy self-sufficient by 2050.

At the moment, the supplier generates 23 per cent of its own energy needs and it has already reduced its net operational emissions by 80 per cent, achieving a total carbon emission reduction of 65 per cent since 2010.

The company is one of the highest energy users in Wales, serving more than three million people across the country, as well as some parts of England. It uses wind, solar, hydro and advanced anaerobic digestion to generate some of its energy needs, with the rest procured from renewable energy resources.

By 2025, Welsh Water intends to be 35 per cent energy self-sufficient, investing an additional £21 million to achieve this. It also intends to reduce total carbon emissions by 90 per cent by 2030.

Peter Perry, Welsh Water chief executive, said: “ have faced an unprecedented, challenging year in responding to Covid-19 but we have shown resilience and adapted the way we operate and provide our essential services.

“As a company owned on behalf of our customers, we are rooted in the communities we serve. Our not-for-profit operating model continues to benefit our customers and communities and we are proud to announce our ambitious environmental plans to ensure that we can continue to provide an effective, resilient and affordable service for decades to come.”

The company also recently invested £50 million into its Cog Moors Wastewater Treatment Works to generate clean, green energy from sewage through its advanced anaerobic digestion facility. The aim is to create enough energy to power the works, making it an energy neutral site.

Other work being undertaken by the water supplier includes an £8 million investment to upgrade the wastewater system in Presteigne and Norton, a project that is due to be finished by summer next year.

The aim is to improve the quality of water being released into the environment, boosting water quality in the Norton Brook and River Lugg, while ensuring that the company can provide a first-class service to customers in the area for decades to come.

The first phase of the work began in Norton last year, with a new pumping station built to pump waste to the treatment works so it can be treated before being returned to the environment. It’s expected that this stage will be completed by December this year.

And the second phase is due to start on June 7th at Presteigne Wastewater Treatment Works, upgrading the existing assets to improve how waste is treated.

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