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Welsh Water Infrastructure has acquired a food waste anaerobic digestion (AD) and composting plant in Cardiff, as part of its plans to further develop its waste and renewable energy business.
The plant, previously owned by Kelda Water Services, is located within the Welsh Water’s Cardiff wastewater treatment works in Tremorfa, and already supplies the site with renewable energy.
With the investment in food waste digestion on the site, around 50 per cent of the energy used at the treatment works will be generated by the water company, through sustainable, renewable generation.
Welsh Water is continuing to expand its use of renewable sources across wind, solar, and anaerobic digestion facilities.
The company said it now “produces more clean, green energy than ever before”, with around 23 per cent of the energy it uses coming from renewable sources.
With an average energy bill of roughly £41 million a year, Welsh Water plans to increase the amount of renewable energy it generates to 30 per cent by 2020.
Sonia McCorquodale, managing director of Welsh Water Infrastructure, said: “Welsh Water is one of Wales’ largest energy users as the company uses a lot of energy to pump and treat water and wastewater. This latest investment will help the Glas group to generate more renewable energy as we play our part in helping to manage the effects of climate change by becoming energy neutral by 2050.
“As a not-for-profit group, we ensure that the gains we make go back directly into our services to benefit our customers, now and for generations to come.”
Cabinet member for clean streets and recycling, Cllr Michael Michael, added: “All of our city’s food waste, which has historically been buried in landfill sites, is now treated at this plant where green energy is created from waste.
“As part of the sale, the terms and conditions of our contract remain unchanged and we look forward to working with Welsh Water, developing our established relationship as we both look to progress more, exciting renewable energy projects.”
Welsh Water Infrastructure is part of Glas Cymru group which includes Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.
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