Bottled water company Highland Spring Group is building a solar farm in partnership with Perth-based energy firm SSE in order to decarbonise its operations.

The company intends to install solar panels capable of providing up to a quarter of the electricity needs at its main base in Blackford, Perth and Kinross.

Work on a 23-acre site in the Ochil Hills will begin this summer and the array is expected to be providing power by early next year.

SSE has been appointed to manage the installation and running of the seven megawatt facility.

There will be a free-of-charge electricity supply to Blackford Primary School and rapid EV chargers for community use.

Simon Oldham, managing director at Highland Spring Group said: “Environmental and social responsibility have always been at the heart of our purpose and this project not only positively supports our sustainability strategy but our good neighbour programme too.

“Harnessing the renewable energy transition is a key part of our journey towards a zero-carbon future, and we are delighted to have collaborated with SSE to bring this solar site to life.”