Solar panels are to be installed at six water treatment works in an effort to reduce energy costs.

The sites in question will be located in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Glasgow, the Highlands, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire, and are part of a wider programme to increase the amount of renewable energy the organisation generates while reducing carbon emissions.

Each solar panel is capable of generating up to 0.2 GWh of electricity per year, which provides up to 25% of the power needed to power the water treatment works, dependent on the size of the works in question.

Currently, Scottish Water has four 'self-sufficient' water treatment works, in that they produce more energy than they use, using hydro turbines in pipes. While the company also generates 28GWh of the 450GWh of electricity it needs every year to keep providing essential water and waste services across Scotland, it aims to significantly increase this amount through a number of ways. For example, small-scale wind turbines have been installed on a number of sites, largely in the Highlands and Islands, while Scottish Water also recycles food waste, which makes a significant contribution to renewables self-generation.

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Commenting on the scheme, Mark Williams, Head of Environmental Science and Regulation, said: "Climate Week 2014 highlights the important of organisations large and small taking action to protect and enhance the environment.

"In the last seven years Scottish Water has achieved a 10% reduction in carbon emissions, despite continuing to improve performance and services. We recognise that, while continuing to deliver excellent and resilient service for customers and protecting Scotland's natural environment well into the future, we must maintain the pace of improvement through energy efficiency, leakage management and investment in renewables, to play our part in tackling climate change."

Chris Toop, General Manager for Energy, added: "The development of our renewables programme continues apace in a sustained effort to keep the cost of essential services as low as possible in the long term.

"Having invested in technologies such as wind, hydro and food waste recycling, we are delighted to be in the process of commissioning solar panels at six of our water treatment works."

It is expected that the solar panels will be installed and operational within the next three months.

(JP)