Scotland's Renewable Energy Blog

Solar and wind power for Scottish railway stations

Three ScotRail stations in Fife are generating their own solar power for the first time ever.

A total of 48 solar panels have been installed on the roofs of Dunfermline Town, Kirkcaldy and Leuchars stations. They will produce 3,300kWh of electricity at each site annually. The panels are helping directly power lighting, heating and information signs at the stations by capturing the sun’s energy. All power generated by the solar panels is being used at the stations, with none being sold back to the National Grid.

Stewart Cahill, ScotRail’s environmental compliance manager, said: “This is an exciting £50,000 project as part of ScotRail’s ongoing efforts to further enhance its environmental performance.”

“By introducing the photovoltaic tiles in Fife, ScotRail is reducing its carbon emissions without impacting on the quality service we offer our customers.”

© Viorel Dudau | Dreamstime.com

 ScotRail has also announced a £75,000 project to install a wind turbine at Montrose station to generate eco-friendly power for the premises. Montrose will become the first staffed station in Scotland to produce its own wind-generated electricity when the 5kW turbine is erected this spring. ScotRail expects the scheme to create up to 9,000kWh of energy annually, to help power heating, lighting and information signs at the station.

Stewart Cahill, ScotRail’s environmental compliance manager, said: “This is an exciting and innovative project as part of ScotRail’s ongoing efforts to further enhance its environmental performance.  By introducing a wind turbine at Montrose, ScotRail is reducing carbon emissions without impacting on the quality service we offer our customers.”

The project has been made possible with support from Transport Scotland. The wind turbine has been granted planning permission by Angus Council and has also received landlord’s consent.