A PROJECT using wastewater to create hydropower in Scotland has officially been completed.
Scottish Water said that the first of its kind hydro turbine at Hamilton Waste Water Treatment Works in South Lanarkshire is set to generate 0.42GWh of electricity every year – the equivalent of boiling 1.8 million kettles.
According to Scottish Water’s commercial arm Scottish Water Horizons, who developed and delivered the project, the turbine will offset around 13% of the treatment facility’s annual electricity demand.
“We are delighted to see this pioneering project now complete and in operation,” said Neil Beaumont, a hydro energy team leader at Scottish Water Horizons.
“It is a great example of how Scottish Water is being creative and looking at how we can utilise all the assets across our portfolio to achieve our net zero ambitions.
“This is the first project of this kind delivered at a Scottish Water waste water facility, whereas previous hydro efforts have focused on our water assets.
“Wastewater treatment is a huge part of what Scottish Water does and there so much opportunity in this area to be bold and innovative when it comes to looking at cutting our carbon emissions and optimising our generation of green energy.
“Taking novel approaches like this will go a long way towards helping us achieve net zero emissions by 2040 and beyond, deliver service excellence, and create greener communities.”
It is the first time that a hydro generator of this kind has been installed at an existing treatment works in the UK.
The generator is set to cut carbon emissions by around 64 tonnes each year, according to Scottish Water.
Scottish Water operations team lead for the area, Craig Causer, added: “The treatment works at Hamilton serve around 57,000 people and have a high electrical consumption. “By generating green energy from what is typically regarded as a waste product, we are helping deliver a waste water service to local communities with a lower carbon footprint.
“Not only does this help reduce our reliance on grid electricity, it also helps reduce our on-site energy costs.”
