Green Forum • 22 February, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Oltenia Water Company has completed the implementation of its first green infrastructure project, which involved the construction of a photovoltaic power plant at the Facai Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is a first step, as the ultimate goal is to transform the plant into a zero-energy and zero-greenhouse gas emission platform.
The project was born out of the need to optimize electricity costs, but also to meet one of Oltenia Water Company's objectives of reducing negative environmental impact, also the Norwegian funding from Innovation Norway has allowed the company to realize the photovoltaic power plant at Făcăi.
The objective of this project is to install a photovoltaic system to reduce electricity consumption and costs, with the ultimate goal of transforming the Wastewater Treatment Plant into a zero-energy and zero-GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions platform by using biogas and other renewable energy sources.
The investment included the construction of a 350 kW photovoltaic system, with 642 monocrystalline photovoltaic panels installed on the property of the Făcăi Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The building that monitors and operates the photovoltaic plant has been equipped with specific, state-of-the-art equipment and the staff of the Oltenia Water Company who already operate the system have been trained.
The main performance indicators resulting from the implementation of this project are the annual reduction of CO2 levels (equivalent to 175 to/year), and the production of energy from renewable sources - estimated at 572 MWh/year, which would lead to a saving in electricity costs. This energy and cost saving represents about 17% of the current value of the bills paid for the Facai station.
The investment, which had a value of €549,610 excluding VAT, was financed by the EEA and Norwegian Financial Mechanisms within the 2014-2021 framework of the "Energy Programme for Romania", with Norwegian funds constituting 85% and the remaining 15% contributed by the Oltenia Water Company.