At 10-tonnes and 10 metres long, the latest feature in Saughton Park's stunning £8m refurbishment made quite a splash when it was hoisted into position to on 1st October

The bespoke 39kw Archimedes screw arrived in Edinburgh from the Netherlands earlier this week and will bring the park's pioneering micro-hydro scheme one step closer to full operation, ensuring the park is fully eco-powered. 

Ground source heating is already up and running in the park's buildings and glasshouse and the hydro-power generated by the Archimedes screw using water directly from the Water of Leith will provide electricity across the park.

Combined with the two ground source heating installations, the micro-hydro scheme will prevent over 90 tonnes of CO2 being pumped into the atmosphere each year, while generating enough energy to power the whole park (lighting, buildings including the new cafe, due to open later this year).

The micro-hydro scheme project was partially financed thanks to £482,107 from the SP Energy Networks Green Economy Fund. 

greenspace scotland is working with a wide range of partners on a strategic, Scotland-wide programme to explore the contribution that parks and greenspaces can make to the Scottish Government’s ambitions to decarbonise the energy system. Find out more about ParkPower