Power of water

Helping create an affordable, low carbon economy for Northern Ireland


Chairman and CEO

Introduction

by Chairman and Chief Executive of NI Water

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Addressing climate change is the moral and practical challenge of our times. Not just for the health of our planet, but for the health of our children and grandchildren.

As the beneficiaries of the fossil fuel era, coming generations will expect us not just to have dealt with the consequences of climate change, but also to have put in place a sustainable future, including here in Northern Ireland.

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The Changing Energy Context

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15%
of generating capacity has to be turned off.

50%
of our electricity coming from renewable sources.

Northern Ireland needs to double its renewable generation by
2030

As Northern Ireland decarbonises, most of our future energy requirement will be for green electricity.

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Did you know… NI Water is Northern Ireland’s single, largest electricity consumer.

NI Water’s assets have the potential to become a catalyst for transforming Northern Ireland’s energy system.

Operations

Intelligent Operations Centre

A new centre to utilise data from our water & wastewater ‘production line’ assets to manage demand for electricity in the most efficient way.

Batteries

Batteries

Battery storage solutions could play a pivotal role in helping to balance demand and supply in the renewable energy era.

Pumped Hydro Storage

Pumped Hydro Storage

Pumped hydro storage could be used in addressing prolonged periods of intermittent weather on the electricity supply.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis

A potential game-changer in decarbonising our transport system & improving wastewater processing.

Green hydrogen

Green hydrogen

We could produce enough hydrogen to fuel 1,300 vehicles running a day.

Oxygen

Oxygen

The use of oxygen could transform the operation of some of our major wastewater treatment works.

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economy

A low carbon economy?

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The drive for green growth is also encouraging NI Water to think about how it can help other sectors of the Northern Ireland economy benefit from the transition to low carbon by building on our traditional strengths of engineering and agriculture.

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Next steps

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Transitioning to a low carbon, green growth economy poses huge challenges for Northern Ireland, but also creates huge opportunities.

The greatest of those opportunities is to substitute local, low carbon sources of energy for our historic dependence on imported, high carbon fuels.

batteries

Batteries

Hydro pump storage

Hydro pump storage

Electrolysis

Electrolysis

A low carbon economy?

A low carbon economy?

The Power of Water Report

The Power of Water Report was published on Wednesday 3rd November 2021 at an event in ICC Belfast. The event was attended in-person and virtually by representatives from across government, the utilities, business and civic society.

Watch it back here:

Want to find out more?

Download the full report