Highland Council meets energy saving milestone

Highland Council's efforts to improve their green credentials are set to achieve a major milestone.

A £2.3 million pound investment in solar panels on key buildings will generate around half-a-million kilowatts of energy a year.

That's a carbon saving of over 128,000kg CO2 equivalent a year, or alternatively:

● 1,200 trips from Thurso to Edinburgh an average (non-electric) car

● Around 25,000 hours in an average electric shower

● Planting 50 acres of new forest

● 16.3 million smartphones charged

With 14 sites now complete, Highland Council is partway through Phase 3 of 6 in its roll out of solar panels across key non-domestic buildings.

It's thought future installs could potentially triple this figure and the associated carbon saving.

The move is designed to combat energy price increases, reduce spend and carbon emissions.

Cllr. Trish Robertson, chair of the Climate Change Panel, said: 'The Council’s declaration of a climate and ecological emergency, and its aspiration to reach a net zero Highland by 2025, represents a significant challenge for the organisation, but also opens up exciting opportunities for real organisational and regional development'

'It is challenging work that requires significant investment, but it provides a host of benefits. As well as the significant carbon savings, the programme has financial benefits for the Council, including greater stability and control, and reassessing how we use and invest in our assets.'