Monday 9 March 2020

Polecat Springs GWS installs solar panels to directly power its water treatment plant

Polecat Springs Group Water Scheme (GWS) claims it has become the first GWS to use renewable energy to directly power its water treatment plant.

Located in County Roscommon, Ireland, the organisation expects the site will be able to reduce energy costs by 70% and cut carbon emissions through its new solar panel project.

It predicts the move will enable the local community to benefit from water treatment cost savings - operated as a community co-operative, Polecat Springs GWS supplies water to rural properties and previously used electricity drawn from the National Grid to power its operations.

The clean electricity from onsite renewable sources will now power the various stages of the water treatment process and the organisation notes there is also the future possibility to integrate battery storage at the site and make the water treatment plant 100% self-sufficient.

Joe Higgins, Regional Director of Veolia, said: "While developments similar to the one at Polecat Springs have been done at a municipal level, this is the first GWS that is using sustainable energy to power its water treatment plant operations.

"Veolia is delighted to have been involved in the project and we hope that more water schemes will invest in sustainable energy in the future."