A pioneering method to create hydropower using wastewater has been installed in South Lanarkshire.

The first of its kind hydro turbine at Hamilton Waste Water Treatment Works was completed by Scottish Water and is set to produce 0.42GWh of green electricity annually, the equivalent of boiling 1.8 million kettles per year.

Neil Beaumont, team lead at Horizons Hydro Energy, said: "We are delighted to see this pioneering project now complete and in operation.

"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. "

(Image: Scottish Water)

Developed by Scottish Water Horizons, Scottish Water’s commercial subsidiary, the project is predicted to offset around 13 percent of the treatment works' annual electricity demand and slash carbon emissions by around 64 tonnes yearly, the same amount as a passenger jet's 13 Sydney-Glasgow round trips.

Craig Causer, team lead for the area at Scottish Water Operations, said: "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.”

The project also leveraged off-site construction techniques, reducing the carbon footprint related to construction and decreasing the time required on-site.