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Focus 81 | SUEZ - Advancing Renewable Energy and Water Sustainability for a Greener Future

How is SUEZ contributing to the development of renewable energy solutions?

SUEZ is a global player dedicated to environmental services for over 160 years. Together with our 6,500 employees across Asia and local partners, we provide water and waste management services to more than 25 million people and 20 industrial parks in the region.

In our sustainable development roadmap, we have set ambitious targets to contribute to energy decarbonisation. By harnessing the potential of waste and wastewater, we provide renewable and recycled energy to the territories on which we operate. In 2023, SUEZ generated 7.7 TWh (terawatt-hour) of energy from waste and wastewater.

Could you share specific examples of how SUEZ is working with stakeholders to integrate new energy solutions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across your value chain?

Waste is a resource to provide energy. Residual waste can indeed be used as fuel to generate electricity for domestic or industrial use. For example:

  • In France, SUEZ is building a Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) heat generation unit to supply sustainable energy to a Tereos sugar refinery-distillery. When completed, the facility will replace 40% of the fossil gas needed for steam production at the site.
  • Another example in the East of France, SUEZ will produce SRF from waste to help Humens, a mineral-based chemicals producer, eliminate coal use, and support its Novacarb plant in reducing 60% of its CO2 emissions.

But we can also harness the potential of sewage sludge to produce energy. For example, SUEZ is building a resolutely innovative wastewater treatment plant in Nice, France. It will reuse wastewater and generate new renewable energy sources, such as biogas, solar, heat and cold for buildings.

The Haliotis 2 wastewater treatment plant will produce four times more energy than it consumes today. 15,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent will be avoided every year from 2030 thanks to the recovery of biomethane, dried sludge and treated water.

How will SUEZ’s strategy evolve to address increasing water stress and global sustainability?

Across the region, we're witnessing the urgency of addressing water security. We're intensifying our efforts in R&D to develop new solutions for preserving water resources, combating pollutants, and reducing the carbon footprint of water services.

In the Philippines for example, we are partnering with a local premier construction company to design, build and operate a large-scale seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant in Metro Iloilo to address the region’s drinking water shortage. It will supply drinking water to nearly 50,000 households and support the industrial water needs of a nearby power plant.

Digital solutions can also be a strong lever to save water. Here in Singapore, SUEZ is a long-standing partner of the local authorities in managing, conserving, and digitising the country's water assets. Implementing smart water solutions has enabled us to formulate a more holistic network management strategy, optimising the network operation efficiency.

We are committed to making a lasting positive impact on the environment, society, and economy of Southeast Asia. We do this through collaboration, innovation, and a strong commitment to sustainability in all our activities.

Contributed by

Farchad Kaviani Managing Director, SUEZ SEA

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