PRODUCTION of green energy - in this case power produced and harnessed during wastewater treatment that turns biogas into electricity - is receiving another boost in the UK with a major water company announcing that it is installing two new power-producing units and enlarging an existing unit.

Southern Water's new combined heat and power (CHP) units, which are more than capable of providing power for the whole site, are being installed at two wastewater treatment works at locations in Kent, south of London.

The electricity they will generate would be enough to supply more than 3,000 homes with energy for heating, cooking and lighting.

They will bring the number of Southern Water CHP units operating in south-east England to 13 and which means that potentially 13 per cent of the company's energy consumption could come from them.

In technical terms, the process of CHP takes biogas produced during the sewage treatment process to fuel a spark ignition reciprocating gas engine and close-couple alternator. Not only does the recycled biogas generate enough electricity to power the treatment works, but the surplus is exported to the National Grid for public use.

In another environmental bonus even the heat produced by the CHP units is recovered and used in the sewage treatment processes to help solid waste be safely recycled as an agricultural fertiliser.

The UK government has been taking steps intended to make low-carbon activity a driver of business recovery as the world recovers from the economic downturn.

Importantly, the UK became the first country to adopt a legally binding carbon reduction target, committing in the Climate Change Act, passed in October 2008, to reduce emissions by at least 26 per cent by 2020 and by 80 per cent by 2050 (against a 1990 baseline).

UK businesses and universities are at the forefront of developing low-carbon solutions in a number of areas, with their expertise sought after all over the world.

The combination of the economy's proven attractiveness to foreign investors, research excellence and existing carbon reduction capabilities makes the UK an ideal test-bed for innovation and development of environmental technology and business models to impact on climate change.

There is recognition that building on the low-carbon leadership already shown by many UK businesses and institutions is essential for the UK's future.

With the world preparing to negotiate a new global climate treaty at the December 2009 United Nations conference in Copenhagen, there will be considerable activity as the UK and other countries seek to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Southern Water, with its strong commitment to the environment and the use of renewable energy, has invested more than five million pounds in the units over the past two years. It has set itself the task of meeting the government target of generating 20 per cent of the energy it uses from renewable sources by 2020 and, with the latest CHP projects, it will be more than halfway towards achieving this.

The company is also actively engaged in seeking alternative forms of renewable energy in the form of hydro and wind power.

Southern Water's energy and carbon manager Martin Ross said: "Looking to the future, we are really seeking to maximise the use of renewable energy and to do our part in reducing our carbon footprint. The CHP units are certainly proving a success in that."