Scottish Canals has announced plans to reach net zero by 2030 with a £250,000 investment in one of the country’s landmark attractions.
The public body plans to invest the money into Falkirk Wheel to let it build 85 new solar panels, which will generate up to 18,000kWh per annum.
The plans are hoped to save the equivalent of 5.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year at the world’s only rotating boatlift.
New air source heat pumps will be also be installed with sub-metering to track renewable energy generation in real time and display it in a newly-refurbished visitor centre.
The investment comes after the Scottish Government’s switched on fleets grant enabled Scottish Canals to procure 19 electric vans, which are used by operational staff daily and were estimated to save 15 tonnes of carbon in the first year alone.
Transport Minister Graeme Dey said: “I am pleased to join Scottish Canals in announcing its plans to reach net zero for direct carbon emissions by 2030 – which continue with the latest green investments at the Falkirk Wheel.
“Over 500,000 visitors a year to the Falkirk Wheel will be able to see the live effect of renewable energy generation at the site.
The non-departmental body will also open a new low carbon canal centre of excellence in Falkirk in 2023.
Catherine Topley, chief executive at Scottish Canals, said: “Our canals were once the lifeline of the industrial revolution transporting coal and other materials to power factories and industries in cities."
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