Solar energy boost cuts carbon at
Central Belt treatment works 

Over 885 solar panels to cut 57 tonnes of emissions annually, boosting the fight against climate change.

Scottish Water Horizons has installed 512 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at Bothwellbank Waste Water Treatment Works in South Lanarkshire. These panels are capable of generating 0.23GWh of power annually, offsetting around a fifth of the site’s energy needs. 

In addition, 373 tank-mounted panels have also been added to an existing array of 178 panels at Roseberry Water Treatment Works, Midlothian. The site can now generate a total of 0.18GWh of energy each year, offsetting 12% of the site’s energy needs.  

Combined, these installations are expected to produce 0.41GWh of green electricity each year – equivalent to the energy needed to boil around 1.8 million kettles annually.

Solar Investment in a Sustainable Future

The £678,000 investment by Scottish Water and its subsidiary, Scottish Water Horizons, is part of a broader strategy to make more treatment works self-sufficient in their energy needs.

Alan Mearns, Project Manager at Scottish Water Horizons, said: “We are ramping up the pace and scale of our solar power programme in order to ensure that we can meet our ambitious target of net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and are delighted that these solar schemes are now complete.

“We also know from customer feedback that there is a strong desire to see reduced emissions from our water and waste water processes.  Many of our industrial and commercial customers have their own net zero targets and lower carbon emissions from water and waste water services are important aspects of reducing the environmental impact of their supply chain.” 

Kenny Stewart, Operations Team Leader at Scottish Water, emphasised the operational benefits: “The installation of these solar panels is a significant step forward for our operations. By reducing our reliance on grid electricity and cutting down on emissions, we are making our treatment works more sustainable and resilient. It’s inspiring to see the positive impact these projects are having on our energy efficiency and environmental footprint.”

The Urgency of Climate Action

These renewable initiatives are underscored by recent climate science findings. The latest Met Office annual report suggests that 2023 might be considered a “cool year” by the end of the century. The UK faced several extreme weather events, such as the hottest June on record and an extended heatwave in September which resulted in widespread disruption and fatalities.

The climate crisis is significantly increasing the frequency of extreme weather events across the UK, emphasising the need for immediate action to reduce emissions and drive the transition to renewable energy sources. 

The schemes were delivered on behalf of Scottish Water Horizon’s by specialist contractor Absolute Solar & Wind.