UNITED Utilities, which includes North West Water and Norweb, has plugged in to a greener future by buying Hyder Industrial, the "green" energy arm of Welsh utility company Hyder.

The £75million deal gives United a head start in the market for renewable energy which is predicted to grow significantly in the next few years.

Hyder generates just under ten per cent of the "green" electricity produced in England and Wales. It also provides water supply and wastewater treatment services to industrial customers across the UK. The deal also includes Hyder Energy Services, an energy management company.