Spotlight | Pioneering hydropower Europe’s first siphon-fed hydro turbine has been installed at Scottish Water’s Whiteadder Reservoir
Above: Aerial view of Whiteadder Reservoir, East Lothian
Below, left and right: Siphon installation
IN THE RACE TO achieve net zero, the demand for innovative renewable energy solutions has never been greater. Scottish Water Horizons is leading the charge with Europe’s first siphon-fed hydropower at Whiteadder Reservoir in East Lothian. This 199kW hydroelectric scheme harnesses the natural flow of water to generate clean electricity while enhancing reservoir compliance. Unlike traditional hydropower systems, the siphon-fed design eliminates the need for major infrastructure changes, providing a cost-effective, low-impact energy solution that could set a precedent for future hydro projects across the UK. Electricity generated by the scheme is used to power the nearby Hungry Snout Pumping Station, a vital asset in East Lothian’s water network, which pumps up to 32 million litres per day to Castle Moffat Water Treatment Works. By offsetting grid electricity demand, the project reduces operational costs, cuts carbon emissions, and supports Scottish Water’s ambitious net zero targets by 2040.
From concept to reality The idea for the Whiteadder Reservoir hydro project
was developed through a combination of data-driven analysis and local operational expertise. By assessing flow and pressure data, reservoir compliance reports, GIS mapping, and on-the-ground insights, Scottish Water Horizons identified an opportunity to generate renewable energy from a previously untapped resource. A feasibility study confirmed that the reservoir’s 24m head height and seasonal flow variations (150 - 1200 l/sec) provided ideal conditions for a hydroelectric system. However, securing a grid connection proved to be a key challenge. The project was originally designed as a 214kW scheme, but local grid constraints required a redesign to 199kW. While this adaptation reduced generation capacity slightly, it significantly lowered grid connection costs which speeded up project delivery. Stuart Clark, Development Project Manager with Scottish Water Horizons, explains: “The grid connection challenge forced us to rethink our
Face of the Whiteadder reservoir dam
10 | May 2025 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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