Solar panels are set to be installed at eight Yorkshire Water sites throughout the region following the granting of planning permission to the water company.

Once installed, the panels will contribute towards Yorkshire Water’s ambitious carbon net zero targets. The sites are part of the first phase of solar panel installations across 28 sites across Yorkshire.

The eight sites where solar panels will be installed are:

• Harrogate North wastewater treatment works
• Harrogate South wastewater treatment works
• Staveley wastewater treatment works
• Aldwarke wastewater treatment works, Rotherham
• Belle Vue sewage pumping station, Doncaster
• Old Whittington wastewater treatment works, Chesterfield
• Filey wastewater treatment works
• Bridlington wastewater treatment works

The sites are expecting to be generating renewable electricity in the summer of 2024 following enabling work, installation and commissioning.

Daniel Oxley, Yorkshire Water commercial manager, said:

“This project is a significant step in reaching our carbon net zero target by 2030. A number of our operational sites have surplus land due to changes in our treatment processes. Installing solar panels in these areas will put the land to good use and help us to generate electricity we can use at our sites.

“Once completed, the first deployment of solar panels at the 28 sites earmarked for solar panels will generate 4% of our annual power needs. Not only will the panels help increase our renewable energy use, but they will also reduce our exposure to energy price volatility, providing a more stable long-term base for a major operating cost, which will provide better value for money for our customers.”