One Tree Felled, Three Trees Planted: Supporting Wildlife at Cumnock

At Cumnock Wastewater Treatment Works in East Ayrshire, renewable energy and wildlife are thriving side by side. 

When Scottish Water Horizons installed a solar photovoltaic (PV) scheme at the site, protecting and enhancing habitats were part of the plan from the outset.  For every tree felled during construction, three new trees have been planted, strengthening the site’s green footprint and creating lasting benefits for local wildlife. 

Creating Habitats for Local Wildlife

The site features bird and bat boxes, hedgehog houses, bee habitats, and log and brushwood piles creating shelter, food sources, and safe breeding spaces for birds, bats, pollinators, and small mammals, actively strengthening the local ecosystem.

Alongside these biodiversity improvements, the solar scheme delivers tangible benefits. A total of 886 panels generate around 0.4GWh of electricity each year – enough to boil roughly 1.8 million kettles. The system supplies around a third of the site’s power needs and cuts emissions by around 97 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually.

Delivering Value for Environment and Communities

Ben Anderson, Project Manager at Scottish Water Horizons, said: 

“Generating renewable energy on site is a practical way for us to reduce emissions and make operational savings. It was just as important that we looked at how we could support nature at the same time. Projects like this show we can do both, delivering great value for the environment and the local area.” 

The team actively looks for ways to enhance biodiversity whenever investment is made , from planting extra trees to installing nesting boxes and creating natural habitats to deliver lasting environmental improvements. 

Mechelle Barbour, Scottish Water Operations Team Leader for East and South Ayrshire, added: 

“This scheme benefits both the environment and our customers. Reducing emissions while improving habitats locally is a positive step for the site and the wider community.” 

A Smarter, Greener Approach to Infrastructure

As Scotland’s largest single user of electricity, Scottish Water continues to explore ways to reduce operational emissions. At Cumnock, renewable energy generation and wildlife habitats now sit side by side, lowering carbon, saving costs, and supporting nature in the local environment.