Scottish Water at heart of energy plans

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has outlined his plans for Scottish energy, which would see Scottish Water take a central role in generating electricity.


The consultation paper ‘Building a Hydro Nation’ proposes that Scottish Water take a leading role in providing green energy through wind farms, water turbines and gas produced by sewage plants.

It also proposed that the utility company remain in public ownership.

First Minister Alex Salmond said:”Scottish Water, already a huge success story, has the potential to play a greater role in the development of a low carbon economy and grow from a successful utility to become a widely based, dynamic, world-leading water organisation, while remaining within public ownership.

“This consultation seeks views on the range of opportunities for Scottish Water to take on new activities – from converting redundant treatment works into recycling facilities to putting hydro electric schemes in redundant reservoirs; from upgrading sewage treatment plants to harvest biogas, to new wind power projects on its land.”

Scottish Water welcomed the consultation saying that is was positive about taking on new opportunities.

In a statement Scottish Water said: “Scottish Water has been making significant inroads on a number of innovative renewable energy developments, including schemes to generate power to supply works.

We have also opened an anaerobic digestion plant at Deerdykes in Cumbernauld to transform food waste into renewable energy.”

They wanted to reassure customers that they would keep their core business of delivery of drinking water would remain a top priority.

The consultation runs until Wednesday 9 March, 2011. You can read the consultation paper here

Alison Brown

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe