Off-grid power transformation at a remote Highlands estate

Overview

Project: Off-grid power transformation at a remote Highlands estate

Location: Highlands, Scotland

The brief:

CES, an SME electrical contractor specialising in sustainable energy solutions, was engaged to deliver a highly customised renewable energy project for a remote highland estate in Scotland.

The goal was to equip a woodworking mill, a bothy, and a gamekeeper’s lodge with a reliable year-round power supply using advanced solar photovoltaic (PV) technology and state-of-the-art battery storage systems.

The project resolved the estate’s longstanding reliance on unreliable and high-maintenance diesel generators, providing a modern and sustainable energy solution. This transformation also supported the estate’s role as a hospitality venue for stag shooting parties.

The challenge:

The Highland estate posed significant challenges due to its remote location and the extreme weather conditions typical of the region.

Before CES’s intervention, the estate was heavily dependent on diesel generators, a system that frequently broke down and required constant refuelling and repairs during severe winters.

At one point, the estate used three generators, alternating their use to maintain power. This resulted in a cycle of excessive maintenance burdens, operating costs, and downtime, which were unsustainable for the on-site gamekeeper responsible for the estate’s functionality.

CES needed to deliver a solution that prioritised reliability and ease of use while dramatically improving sustainability.

The solution:

CES delivered a robust off-grid solar PV system complemented by battery storage technology to eliminate the estate’s dependency on diesel generators for most of the year.

During periods of peak power demands or low sunlight, the generators serve as a backup to supplement the battery system.

Even better, the solution is futureproofed, with plans in place for a hydro system and a small turbine to be incorporated at a later date, increasing the estate’s renewable energy capacity.

CES also delivered a new local infrastructure to a woodmill, generator shed, garage/workshop and a lodging/B&B including local power and lighting.

Key project highlights:

• Remote monitoring of energy supply: An uninterrupted energy supply backed by the technical skill of the CES install and the security of remote monitoring.
• Reliable power in extreme conditions: CES’s solution is durable and works seamlessly in the harsh environment of the remote Highland estate.
• Sustainability in practice: The estate has vastly reduced both its reliance on fossil fuels and the environmental impact of its power demands.

Why this project stands out:

This project, delivered in three weeks, highlights CES’s expertise in tackling unique challenges and delivering innovative, sustainable energy solutions in remote locations. The ability to successfully transition from a generator-dependent system to a more integrated renewable energy platform is a key “wow factor.”

This initiative exemplifies the effectiveness of renewable energy systems in extreme conditions, an ability to monitor energy supply remotely with the added scalability to accommodate future hydro or wind power generation.

What the client appreciated most:

• The reliability of the new power system compared to the constant challenges of generator maintenance.
• The sustainability of the solution, reducing environmental impact and operational costs.
• The system’s adaptability and expansion potential to include more renewable energy technologies in the future.