Landmark Renewable Energy Project
OCS is working with Scottish Water Horizons to deliver a landmark £2.4m solar carport renewable energy project at Scottish Water’s head office in Stepps, North Lanarkshire. The development will see the installation of 2,250 bifacial solar panels, transforming the site’s car park into a covered area that also generates clean electricity.
Renewable Power Generation
Once operational, the system is expected to produce approximately 1 MW of renewable energy annually. This will provide more than one third of the office’s power requirements and reduce emissions by about 160 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, comparable to 89 return flights from Glasgow to New York.
Technical Delivery
Electricity from the panels will be integrated through a new LV switchboard within a purpose-built enclosure. Cables will be laid in underground ducts and containment systems to link to inverters positioned throughout the car park. Construction will be phased to ensure day-to-day operations at the office are not disrupted.
Project Completion and Impact
Completion is expected by summer 2026. For Scottish Water, the scheme represents a significant step forward on its journey to net zero. For OCS, it demonstrates the expertise of its Energy Services team in delivering practical energy transition solutions. The project builds on Scottish Water’s existing portfolio of over 92 solar schemes, which together already generate about 28.7 GWh of electricity each year to help run essential water and wastewater services across the country.
“This is a really exciting project for Scottish Water and highlights our commitment to achieving our net zero targets by 2040. Choosing to deliver our first solar carport scheme at our head office is a clear statement of our intent. We are putting sustainability right at the heart of where we work, rethinking everyday spaces and turning them into something that is greener, smarter and ready for the future.”
Alex Plant
Chief Executive at Scottish Water
“After months of planning and preparatory work, it is great to see this major project starting to be delivered on site at such an important location for Scottish Water. We are very grateful to the staff at the office for their engagement with the project so far, which has been hugely positive, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption during construction. Once complete, it will provide 34% of the energy needed to operate the office and marks a very significant step in our journey towards net zero.”
Keliann Arthur
Project Manager at Scottish Water Horizons
“OCS are delighted to be working with Scottish Water Horizons on this landmark solar carport project at Scottish Water’s head office. We are proud to support Scottish Water’s commitment to net zero by 2040, delivering projects that combine innovation with real-world impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. Through our Energy Services team, we are applying specialist expertise in energy management and transition projects to help organisations develop practical solutions that achieve long-term carbon reduction and net zero ambitions.”
Nick Maggs
Managing Director – Hard Services (UK) at OCS
