Southern Water signs solar power purchase framework

Southern Water has signed an eight-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) framework with solar developers to provide the water firm with zero-carbon electricity for 30 years.

Under the Solar PPA Framework, third party developers will own the solar plant, lease the land and sell the electricity to Southern Water, which it will use directly on sites.

Following competitive tender award, Southern Water has established a framework panel of Private Wire Solar PPA providers comprising CenEden Renewables, Downing Energy Development Company and FES Services. They will work in partnership with Southern Water to explore and develop onsite and offsite third party funded solar renewable projects.

The contract included:

• feasibility studies and development;

• funding, building and maintenance of private-wire, solar power purchase agreements;

• battery storage opportunities for the installed solar arrays;

• community energy support services linked to the installed solar arrays;

• trading platforms and technology such as an optimisation platform and virtual power plant software; and

• commercial opportunities and developments in operating models including flexibility services and opportunities with the customer’s power network operator.

In the first phase, 13 water and wastewater sites totalling 22,463 solar panels over 4.9ha will be offered as a mini tender for three bidders to compete for. The first phase will be awarded by the end of 2022.