The Highland Council has reached a significant milestone in its work to install solar panels to supply key buildings across their non-domestic estate, with completed sites estimated to generate over 500,000kWh of energy a year.

This generation is estimated to deliver a carbon saving of over 128,000kg CO2 equivalent a year. This roughly equates to:

● 1,200 trips from Thurso to Edinburgh an average (non-electric) car;

● Around 25,000 hours in an average electric shower;

● Planting 50 acres of new forest;

● 16.3 million smartphones charged.

With 14 sites now complete, The Highland Council is part way through Phase 3 of six in its roll out of solar panels across key non-domestic buildings. With latter phases aiming to cover greater numbers of sites, future installs could potentially triple this annual generation figure and associated Carbon saving.

The full programme is a £2.3m investment in solar technology across the non-domestic estate, committed in 2018. It is designed to combat energy price increases, reduce energy spend and reduce carbon emissions. The programme is self-financing, meaning the money the programme saves more than covers all delivery costs.

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The work also makes up part of the Council's wider £7m 'Salix Recycling Fund' – a pot of money match-funded by an interest-free loan to the Council for energy efficiency projects, funded by Scottish Government through Salix Finance Ltd. Highland Council currently operate the largest Recycling Fund in Scotland and the largest for a local authority in the UK.

Councillor Trish Robertson, Climate Change Panel Chair, said: "I am delighted to see the Energy and Renewables programme reach this milestone. The Council's declaration of a climate and ecological emergency, and its aspiration to reach a net zero Highland by 2025, represents a significant challenge for the organisation, but also opens up exciting opportunities for real organisational and regional development.

"This Programme is a great example – it is challenging work that requires significant investment, but it provides a host of benefits. As well as the significant carbon savings, the Programme has financial benefits for the Council, including greater stability and control, and reassessing how we use and invest in our assets."

Finlay MacDonald, Head of Property Services and Project Sponsor for the Energy and Renewables Programme, added: "Annual kilowatt-hour savings of over half a million is a significant milestone for this project and a key part of our wider long-term strategy to help reduce our carbon emissions and mitigate against increasing energy prices by investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency measures across the Council estate.

"This ambitious programme is vital in delivering on our vision for a sustainable Highland, both environmentally and financially."

(MH/JG)