Three small-scale wind turbines have been installed at Scottish Water's Stronsay water treatment works to help reduce energy costs.
In Scottish Water's second project of its kind, the 'Evance' turbines are capable of generating around 55MWh of electricity a year - around 80 per cent of the energy needed at the works on the Orkney island.
Eddie Johnstone, Project Manager with Scottish Water's Energy Team, said: "Scottish Water needs a significant amount of energy to provide services to the people of Scotland. We want to take advantage of natural wind resources to reduce costs, while helping to meet Scotland's renewable energy targets.
"By generating more of our own energy it means we need to purchase less as a result, which is good news for our customers
"The commissioning of the three turbines at our Stronsay water treatment works is the second initiative to be completed, following the recent switch-on of 10 similar turbines at our waste water treatment works in
Stornoway."
The turbines are part of a wider investment programme by Scottish Water Horizons, the utility's commercial subsidiary, in renewable generation schemes across Scotland.
Scottish Water is working in partnership with Evance to harness wind power using the R9000 turbine - Evance has over 1,600 turbine installations.
Scottish Water presently generates around seven per cent of the energy it consumes, but through innovative use of its assets - such as treatment works, pipes, catchments and pipelines - is capable of significantly increasing this proportion. Scottish Water is also looking at the potential for further schemes across its network. It already hosts third party wind development on some sites and is exploring the development of other wind schemes to reduce energy demand.
Tim Sammon, Director of Evance Wind Turbines, said: "Stronsay has great natural wind resources so by installing our Grid+ system Scottish Water is able to harness this renewable energy for using at the water treatment works. The three turbines will be able to generate around 55MWh of electricity a year, which will mean nearly an 80 per cent reduction in the costs of running the works."
For more information, visit www.scottishwater.co.uk
