Newcastle - Howdon

Newcastle - Howdon

Howdon Sewage Treatment Works, run by Northumbrian Water in Teesside, treats sewage sludge from Newcastle and nearby areas. Along with the Bran Sands facility, it processes all the sludge from the utility’s service area.

The plant incorporated the thermal hydrolysis process (THP) in 2012, based on experience from Bran Sands and other UK sites using the technology. In 2014, a gas-to-grid system was added to export biomethane under the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.

Northumbrian Water is the first UK water company to export biomethane from all of its sewage sludge. Aided by Cambi’s THP technology, the company estimates it cuts carbon emissions by 50,000–62,000 tonnes per year, supporting its aim to be carbon neutral by 2027.