Scottish Water has expanded on-site renewable generation at Blairlinnans Water Treatment Works near Balloch, installing hundreds more solar panels to help run the facility and cut carbon emissions.

The latest phase adds 648 ground-mounted panels to the existing array, taking the total to 1,672 and raising expected annual output across the site to around 0.52 GWh — enough electricity for roughly 190 UK homes each year.

About 40% of the plant's electricity demand will now be met by renewable energy, improving resilience against swings in grid power prices. The combined solar installations are forecast to avoid 226 tonnes of CO₂e annually — equivalent to 125 return flights between Edinburgh and New York.

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The project was led by Scottish Water Horizons, the company's commercial subsidiary, and delivered by renewables specialists R&A Group.

It forms part of Scottish Water's wider programme to increase clean electricity generation across its estate as it works towards net zero.

Scottish Water Horizons Assistant Project Manager Kasi Hamitouche said: "This is a significant expansion of the solar scheme that was already in place at Blairlinnans and means that around 40% of the power needed to treat water for thousands of homes in the areas is now provided by renewable energy generated on site.

"By continuing to increase the amount of renewable electricity we generate ourselves, we're reducing carbon emissions, lowering our reliance on grid electricity and helping to protect the business from future energy market volatility."