Southern Water is increasing its capacity to generate electricity from biogas with the installation of new combined heat and power (CHP) engines are at five of its treatment works.

CHP takes biogas – primarily methane - created during the wastewater treatment process and uses it as a fuel to create electricity. Southern Water currently generates 17% of its electricity from 16 CHP sites putting it among the best in the industry - the investment at five key sites will enable it to produce even more.

The CHP engines are being installed at sites in:

• Gravesend, Kent
• Goddards Green, Sussex
• Millbrook, Hampshire
• Fullerton, in Andover, Hampshire
• Budds Farm in Havant, Hampshire

Martin Ross, Southern Water Energy Manager, said:

“The capturing of biogas is a double win because not only do we collect free fuel but we also prevent the release of methane which has a global-warming potential 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.”

“Last year, we generated 77 gigawatt hours of power through CHP - equivalent to powering over 20,000 homes for a year and saving the equivalent of 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.”

All five sites will have replacement engines fitted and two sites – Budds Farm and Millbrook – will have additional engines to create even more electricity to account for future growth.

After the engine upgrades Budds Farm will generate 95% of its power demand and Millbrook will be completely self-sufficient.