A Scottish Water site in Forfar is now partially powered by renewable energy after more than 600 solar panels were installed on land at the treatment works.
A total of 18.5 per cent of the power needed to run Forfar Wastewater Treatment Works is now provided by solar energy, with the 631 ground mounted panels producing around 0.23GWh of power each year.
The project will help to lower operational costs at the site, provide resilience against the volatility of grid electricity prices and support Scottish Water’s drive to cut carbon emissions.
Around 63 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent will be saved each year by using the onsite renewable energy – the same as 35 return flights between Aberdeen and New York.
The project has been led by Scottish Water Horizons, the commercial subsidiary of Scottish Water, and delivered by OCS Energy Services.
Scottish Water Horizons Project Manager Natalya Hendricks said: “It is great to see this project completed at Forfar Wastewater Treatment Works, helping to reduce operating costs at the site and adding a layer of energy resilience to the works. By generating more of our own power onsite, we are better protected from energy fluctuations, while also reducing carbon emissions.”
Scottish Water Operational Team Leader Barry Mason said: “The wastewater treatment works here in Forfar provides a vital service to thousands of customers and it is really positive that the site will now be producing and making use of its own renewable energy for years to come.”
Graeme Hamilton, Managing Director – Energy, OCS, said: “Reliable energy sits at the heart of effective site operations. Working with Scottish Water Horizons and Scottish Water, this project in Forfar shows how onsite generation can strengthen resilience, give teams greater control over energy use, and support more stable operating costs, while reducing carbon emissions.”
Renewables projects are a key part of Scottish Water’s approach to balancing environmental responsibility with long-term financial sustainability.
