Solar panels are being installed to help reduce energy costs at six water treatment works across Scotland.
The installations at Scottish Water sites in West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire, the Highlands, and Aberdeen are part of a programme to increase the amount of renewable energy the public utility generates while reducing carbon emissions.
These projects come as Scottish Water supports Climate Week 2014, which is taking place this week, highlighting actions being taken across communities and businesses in the UK to protect the future environment and create a secure planet.
The Scottish Water solar panels are each capable of generating up to 0. GWh of electricity per year– which provides up to 25 per cent of the power needed to power the water treatment works dependant on the size of the works in question.
Scottish Water already has four ‘self-sufficient water treatment works – in that they produce more energy than they actually use, using hydro turbines in pipes.
Scottish Water generates 28GWh of the 450GWh of electricity it needs every year to keep provide essential water and waste services across Scotland, and has ambitions to significantly increase this through a variety of technologies. Small-scale wind turbines have also been installed on a number of sites, largely in the Highlands and Islands, while Scottish Water also recycles food waste, which makes a significant contribution to renewables self-generation.
For more information, visit www.scottishwater.co.uk