Renewable Energy Powers a West Lothian Waste Water Treatment Works

Solar energy powers Bathgate’s treatment works, driving Scottish Water toward net zero by 2040. 

The £675,000 project has seen 792 ground-mounted PV (photovoltaic) panels installed at the West Lothian site and is expected to generate 0.3GWh of green energy per year – the same amount needed to boil around 1.3 million kettles. 
 
The renewable energy generated by the solar panels will meet 12 per cent of the site’s power usage and save 63 tonnes of carbon annually. 

Delivered in partnership with renewable energy specialists Absolute Solar and Wind, this initiative is part of Scottish Water Horizons’ ongoing efforts to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy solutions across Scotland’s water infrastructure.

Scottish Water Horizons Project Manager Keliann Arthur said: “We are delighted to have completed this solar scheme at our waste water treatment works in Bathgate, adding to Scottish Water’s fast-growing portfolio of renewable projects across the country. 
 
“We remain focused on achieving our ambitious net zero emissions target by 2040 and are continuing to ramp up our response to the climate crisis by increasing the pace and scale at which we are delivering green energy projects.” 

Scottish Water Operations Team Leader Neal Legowski added: “The treatment works in Bathgate operates around the clock, treating the waste water from thousands of homes in the area. It is a large user of electricity so it is great that some of our power usage is now being met by green energy from this scheme – cutting our carbon emissions and helping us on our net zero journey.” 

Scottish Water Horizons continues to drive forward innovative energy solutions across Scottish Water’s land and property estate, supporting Scotland’s transition to net zero emissions.