UPOWA completes 553 kWp Walton Solar Project, accelerating Affinity Water’s journey to net zero.
UPOWA delivers a 553 kWp commercial solar array at Affinity Water’s Walton Water Treatment Works in Surrey
The clean, sustainable electricity generated by the solar installation has been providing up to 18% of the site’s energy consumption and is projected to achieve 11% as an average for the year
The 1,216 solar panels installed will save Affinity Water around 108 tonnes of carbon each year
Completion of Phase 1 of the Affinity Water Solar Programme is a crucial first step to the business becoming operationally net zero by 2030 and net zero by 2050
UPOWA has energised a 553 kWp ground-mounted solar array at the Walton Water Treatment Works in Surrey which will generate on-site renewable energy to help power Affinity Water's operations.
Delivered under the Phase 1 Pilot of their Solar Programme, the commercial solar installation forms a critical first step in Affinity Water’s ambitious plans to be operationally net zero by 2030 and net zero by 2050.
Walton Water Treatment Works uses approximately 5,547,346 kilowatt-hours of energy per year to supply clean water to hundreds of thousands of its customers. The 1,216 x solar panels are now producing clean, sustainable electricity that is providing up to 18% of the site’s energy consumption and are projected to achieve 11% as an average for the year. Furthermore, the solar array will cut Affinity Water’s operational carbon emissions by around 108 tonnes per year.
UPOWA managed all aspects of the ground-mounted solar project, working closely with Affinity Water’s Team at each stage. From initial survey, design and DNO approval through to construction and commissioning, UPOWA provided an end-to-end renewable energy service.
As part of Affinity Water's Road Map for Net Zero, they anticipate investing £29M in solar power which will play a key role in the development of a wider renewable and efficiency programme. Preparations are now underway to begin the rollout of solar arrays at a further 28 x sites during Phase 2.
“We chose UPOWA (formerly HBS New Energies) as one of our delivery partners because we're new to this,” said Steve Plumb, Asset Strategy and Capital Delivery Director at Affinity Water. “We needed to partner with their supply chain and draw on their expertise to install the solar panels efficiently and safely. We plan to do a further 28 sites in phase 2 to generate 10 per cent of our electricity through solar. We also have some further large-scale proposals that we are excited about and want to develop in the future.”
Plumb added: “It’s been really important for us to get buy in from the Board, but they are equally committed to our sustainability objectives so they can see the benefits of us doing this and want us to go faster. Together with our Chertsey site we are showing our commitment to achieving carbon net zero. Both sites are now live and producing clean and sustainable energy for us to use.”
James Bull, Managing Director at UPOWA, said:
“The solar installation at Walton is a great example of how water companies like Affinity Water can utilise operational land to unlock much needed cost savings and efficiencies through on-site renewable generation.”
“I am thrilled to see UPOWA play a key role in completing the first phase of this exciting solar programme that will help cut Affinity Water's carbon footprint and reduce its reliance on grid-supplied electricity. We look forward to supporting them on their journey to achieving net zero operational emissions by 2030."
Powering Affinity Water’s journey to net zero with solar
The commercial solar array at Walton Water Treatment Works is now helping to accelerate Affinity Water’s journey towards net zero. Future phases will deliver further installations of solar energy, along with the introduction of wind power and battery storage solutions across its sites and the transition of its fleet to Electric Vehicles. By 2030, Affinity Water will generate 10% of its baseload energy usage from on-site renewable energy generation assets like solar, wind or hydrogen, thereby reducing reliance on the National Grid.
This latest solar project completed for Affinity Water builds on UPOWA’s impressive track record of delivering high-performing commercial solar energy assets for the UK’s leading water service providers. These include Anglian Water, Welsh Water and United Utilities.
Key project facts
Affinity Water’s Walton Water Treatment Works (WTW) uses approximately 5,547,346 kilowatt-hours of energy per year to supply clean water to hundreds of thousands of Affinity Water customers
The 1,216 x solar panels installed by UPOWA at the Walton Water Treatment Works have been producing up to 18% of the site’s energy requirement compared to 2021 and are projected to achieve 11% as an average throughout each year
The solar energy produced by the 1,216 solar panels will also save around 108 tonnes of carbon annually
Solar energy produced since energisation = 379,096 kWh
Affinity Water’s energy cost savings to date, using the 22/23 Tariff = £70,663
Affinity Water’s carbon savings to date (tCO2e) = 76.7 tCO2e
About Affinity Water
We are committed to delivering a high-quality water service to all our customers. We provide 900 million litres of water each day to a population of more than 3.6 million people in parts of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, the London Boroughs of Harrow and Hillingdon and parts of the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, and Enfield. We also supply water to the Tendring peninsula in Essex and the Folkestone and Dover areas of Kent.
Affinity Water’s Plan for Net Zero
Affinity Water’s Plan for Net Zero was published in July 2021. You can view it here.