A new solar scheme is now helping to power essential water services for Scottish Water customers in Penicuik, cutting carbon emissions and reducing reliance on grid electricity.
The project has seen 372 tank and ground mounted solar panels installed at Lawhead Treated Water Pumping Station on the outskirts of the town which are expected to generate around 0.15GWh of green electricity each year.
Around 67% of the renewable energy generated will be used directly on site, meeting 27% of the pumping station’s total energy demand. Any surplus power will be exported to the national grid, making renewable energy available for wider use.
By generating more of its own power on site, the scheme will help lower operational costs, improve energy resilience, and provide long‑term protection against the volatility of electricity prices.
The project will also save around 28 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year, making the operation of the pumping station less carbon intensive and supporting Scottish Water’s drive to reach net zero emissions by 2040.
The solar scheme has been delivered by Emtec Energy, with the project led by Scottish Water Horizons on behalf of the publicly owned utility.
Ben Anderson, Scottish Water Horizons project manager, said, “It is great to see this solar scheme now operational at Lawhead, helping us to generate renewable energy directly where it is needed.
“Projects like this play an important role in reducing carbon emissions while improving long-term energy resilience across our network of sites.”
Stuart Scammell, Scottish Water operations team leader, added, “The Lawhead pumping station operates around the clock to help deliver reliable water services, so energy use is a significant factor.
“Having more than a quarter of the site’s electricity now coming from renewable energy is a positive step, reducing carbon emissions while supporting the resilience of this vital asset.”
