Ezhou Explores “Green Electricity for Pollution Control”: Wastewater Treatment Plants Transform into “Green Power Stations”

At the Honglian Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ezhou, Hubei, thousands of photovoltaic (PV) panels covering rooftops and water pools are converting sunlight into electricity, powering equipment that processes 5,000 tons of wastewater daily. Recently, staff from the State Grid Ezhou Power Supply Company conducted inspections and hazard assessments of the photovoltaic station’s supporting line equipment, gaining a detailed understanding of its operational status since connecting to the grid.

Staff using drones to inspect photovoltaic equipment

Photo by Jiang Zhigang

This “Water Plant + PV” project, developed by Ezhou Langong Water Co., Ltd., generates 2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually (including both Honglian Lake and Gehua Wastewater Treatment Plants), which is equivalent to reducing standard coal consumption by approximately 600 tons. It serves as an innovative model of intensive local resource utilization.

Taking the Honglian Lake Plant as an example, its PV power station has a total capacity of 500 kilowatts (kW), with annual power generation of about 500,000 kWh—an average of 26,000 kWh per month—saving 18,000 yuan in electricity costs. The PV generation meets over 90% of the plant’s electricity demand. Additionally, the panels block sunlight, inhibiting algae growth in water pools and reducing cleaning and maintenance frequency, saving over one million yuan in comprehensive costs annually.

Staff conducting electricity inspection on wastewater treatment equipment

Photo by Jiang Zhigang

Currently, the photovoltaic systems at the Honglian Lake and Gehua Wastewater Treatment Plants have a combined daily processing capacity of 100,000 tons, serving an area of 200 square kilometers. The “PV+” model will be further promoted to transform more plants into “green power stations”.

Aerial panoramic view of the wastewater treatment plant

Photo by Jin Shaocheng