Scottish Water has reached a significant milestone in its drive to cut carbon, reduce operating costs and increase its energy resilience, with the installation of its 100th solar scheme.
The publicly-owned utility now has solar panels helping to power essential water and wastewater services at 100 sites across Scotland — from treatment works and pumping stations to operational buildings — supporting its ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2040.
The milestone scheme, at Kinneil Kerse Wastewater Treatment Works near Falkirk, is the latest in a growing programme of renewable energy projects being delivered across Scottish Water’s estate.
Together, the schemes are helping to generate around 25.1GWh of green electricity each year directly where it is needed – the same amount needed to power around 9,300 UK homes - reducing reliance on grid power, cutting carbon emissions and providing long-term resilience against fluctuating energy prices.
The solar programme is also delivering wider environmental benefits, with biodiversity measures incorporated into suitable sites. These have included wildflower meadows, bird and bat boxes, hibernacula for amphibians and reptiles, and other habitat improvements that support local wildlife alongside renewable energy generation.
Scottish Water Horizons, the utility’s commercial subsidiary, leads the programme and works with delivery partners to identify, design and install renewable energy projects at sites where they can provide the greatest environmental and operational benefit.
Donald MacBrayne, Scottish Water Horizons Business Development and Delivery Manager, said:
“Reaching 100 solar schemes is a really important milestone and shows just how far the programme has come.
“When Scottish Water first started installing solar panels at its sites in 2011, the schemes were smaller and more limited in scale. In recent years, we have significantly increased both the number and size of projects being delivered, supported by advances in solar technology and a growing understanding of where renewable energy can make the biggest difference.
“These schemes are helping to reduce carbon emissions, lower operational costs and make our sites more resilient. They also provide long-term value for customers by reducing our exposure to volatile electricity prices.”
Welcoming the milestone, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs Gillian Martin said:
“This is a significant milestone which demonstrates how underused spaces can be transformed to generate clean, renewable electricity and help customer charges for water services go further.
“Scottish Water's growing solar network is helping to cut emissions, improve resilience and deliver long-term value for customers. Alongside work to preserve biodiversity, these projects show how climate action can support nature recovery while helping drive Scotland's transition to net zero.”
Elise Cartmell, Scottish Water General Manager Zero Emissions, said:
“This is a significant moment for Scottish Water and underlines how we have started to embed renewable energy into the way we deliver essential services.
“Water and wastewater treatment are energy-intensive processes, so generating more of our own green electricity on site is an important part of reducing our emissions while continuing to provide reliable services for customers across Scotland.
“Reaching our 100th solar scheme is not the end point — we want to keep going further and faster.”
Solar power is one of several renewable technologies the water company is using as part of its wider journey to net zero, alongside hydro, wind and other innovative solutions.
Scottish Water has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2040, five years ahead of Scotland’s national target.
Solar schemes are now in place at locations including Milngavie Water Treatment Works, which serves more than 700,000 customers in the Glasgow area, Newbridge Wastewater Treatment Works near Edinburgh, Longman Drive in Inverness, as well as the Isle of Bute, the Scottish Borders and many other urban and rural locations across the country.
ABB has launched AquaMaster+™, a digital platform for smart water network management, designed to help water utilities monitor, analyze and manage their water networks, preventing pipeline water losses and optimizing operations.
Craig Nienaber, Business Development Manager for Safe Access Solutions (SAS) at HUBER Technology, explores why the company is seeing a growing level of interest in its safe access solutions for critical infrastructure providers, including their application in wastewater treatment assets.
Albion Water, the first NAV (New Appointment & Variation) to have been established in1999 and now under the ownership of SDS Water Group, has appointed Andy Holland as its new Director of Business Development.
UK water companies are invited to join an upcoming webinar which will explore how the sector can take indirect potable reuse (IPR) from concept to full-scale operational reality.
Southern Water has released film and images showing what it’s like to walk inside Hampshire’s expanded Yew Hill underground reservoir for the very last time, before it gets filled with water.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.