Scottish Water has announced the successful completion of a pioneering project aimed at harnessing hydropower from wastewater, marking a significant step in its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2040. The initiative, the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, involved the installation of a hydro turbine at the Hamilton Waste Water Treatment Works in South Lanarkshire. This installation is projected to generate 0.42 GWh of green electricity annually and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 64 tonnes per year.

The project, spearheaded by Scottish Water’s commercial subsidiary, Scottish Water Horizons, is anticipated to offset around 13% of the treatment works' annual electricity demand. Notably, this scheme represents the first prefabricated hydro system installed "mid-process" within a wastewater treatment plant in the UK. The hydroelectric generator is integrated within the pipeline of the facility, allowing wastewater to flow through it.

Utilizing off-site construction methods has contributed to minimizing the carbon footprint associated with the project's construction and has reduced the on-site construction time, as stated in the release.

Neil Beaumont, Horizons Hydro Energy Team Lead, remarked, “This project exemplifies Scottish Water’s innovative approach and our dedication to utilizing all available assets to meet our net zero goals. While previous hydro initiatives have focused on our water assets, wastewater treatment offers substantial opportunities for bold and innovative strategies to reduce carbon emissions and enhance green energy generation. Adopting such novel approaches is crucial to achieving our net zero emissions target by 2040 and beyond, while also delivering service excellence and fostering greener communities.”

The scheme was executed by FES Support Services Ltd, a local specialist in renewable energy solutions, on behalf of Scottish Water Horizons.