New figures show that Scottish Water generated enough renewable energy last year to power 11,200 homes.

Dozens of green schemes generated a massive 37GWh of electricity - roughly enough to power households in either Ayr, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Coatbridge, Greenock or Perth.

The figures are included in the water company’s 2016 Sustainability Report which shows the Circular Economy approach saves money and resources whilst reducing waste and pollution. Scottish Water also saw a reduction in carbon emissions - down 3.5 per cent since last year and 16 per cent overall since 2006/07.

Dr Mark Williams, Scottish Water’s Head of Environmental Science and Regulation, said:

“We support a sustainable Scotland by delivering high quality, affordable water and wastewater services, protecting public health and the environment, and supporting development.”  

“We have a duty to act sustainably in our delivery of these services.  Applying the principles of the circular economy can help us to find new ways of doing that, to the benefit of customers and the environment.”

The data follows on from news that Scottish Water recently secured a £9 million deal to boost its existing 24 solar sites. This will add to 25 sites with hydro turbines that harness the natural flow of water through pipes as well as 18 wind-powered sites.

The Sustainability Report also covers a food waste recycling plant near Cumbernauld that generates bio-gas from food waste, and a pioneering technology that uses waste water to provide 95 per cent of the heat used at Borders College in Galashiels - both projects are run by Scottish Water Horizons, the utility’s commercial subsidiary.

The projects form part of a six-year investment plan worth £3.5 billion to improve drinking water quality, enhance the environment and support the Scottish economy.

Chris Toop, general manager for Scottish Water’s energy programme, said the efforts also help make services resilient and keep customer costs down to an average of less than £1 per day.

He said:

“These investments help to reduce the long-term cost of providing vital water and wastewater services to customers. The benefit from our whole energy programme now exceeds £6m annually and we have ambition to do more.”

Andrew MacDonald, head of Scottish Water Horizons, added:

“We continue to harness the vast natural and renewable energy resources that Scotland has. As a Hydro Nation we are driven to extract sustainable benefits from every phase of the water cycle using both proven and innovative technologies.”