Scottish Water adds more wind power to renewables portfolio

Scottish Water has installed three small-scale wind turbines, with the capacity of 55MWh; generating approximately 80% of the power needed at its Stronsay water treatment works.


Scottish Water’s energy team project manager Eddie Johnstone said: “Scottish Water needs a significant amount of energy to provide services to the people of Scotland.

“We want to take advantage of natural wind resources to reduce costs, while helping to meet Scotland’s renewable energy targets. 

“By generating more of our own energy it means we need to purchase less as a result, which is good news for our customers.”

The turbines are part of a wider investment programme by Scottish Water Horizons, the utility’s commercial subsidiary, in renewable generation schemes across Scotland.

The commissioning of the three turbines at Stronsay water treatment works is the second initiative to be completed, following the recent switch-on of 10 similar turbines at the company’s wastewater treatment works in Stornoway.

Currently Scottish Water generates around 7% of the energy it consumes, but says it is capable of significantly increasing this proportion through innovative use of its assets, such as treatment works, catchments and pipelines.

Conor McGlone

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