Leading pub, beer and cider company Heineken UK Ltd has applied to Ofwat for retail water and sewerage self-supply licences using the water supply or sewerage system of wholesalers operating wholly or mainly in England.
The company applied for the licences on 27 June 2018 – if granted, this will enable Heineken to provide retail services to itself and associated persons.
The company has entered into a partnership agreement with Waterscan who will act as the managing agent and take on the role and responsibilities for the retail functions including meter reading, CMOS transactions, wholesaler management and finding further water efficiency savings.
The company’s business plan submitted to Ofwat in support of the self-supply application says water is a key component for its business, from growing hops, barley and apples to producing beer.
In 2017 Heineken launched its global water programme, “Every Drop”. Since 2008, it has lowered its water use by 21% and has invested in more efficient equipment. Over £100 million has been invested into modernising its Manchester and Hereford sites and installing modern, efficient equipment. The company said it is also making its existing equipment more efficient and finding new ways of doing things to reduce water use both at its sites and at the consumer level.
The application says that self-supply for Heineken UK Ltd will provides it with an opportunity to build on the works already undertaken and develop its partnership with Waterscan whilst driving cost and consumption control. In addition, it also hopes that being an active participant in the market will drive further innovation and provide a direct customer voice in MOSL discussions.
Deadline to submit comments to Ofwat about the application is 3 August 2018.
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