Extreme E visits the Scottish Parliament
The net-zero championship’s next round will take place in the former open-cast Glenmuckloch mine in Dumfries and Galloway on 13-14 May.
A number of MSPs were interested in finding out more about the Hydro X Prix ahead of race weekend
Racing at the restored former coal mine for the Hydro X Prix will provide a poignant backdrop for Extreme E, which uses its platform to raise awareness of climate change and global solutions, with the mine about to undergo the next phase of its major transformation into a Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) plant and wind farm.
Màiri McAllan MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, said: “Glenmuckloch is about to undergo the next phase of its major transformation into a Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) plant and wind farm, so it will provide a poignant backdrop for Extreme E, which uses its platform to raise awareness of climate change and global solutions.
“18 months ago world leaders met in Glasgow for COP26, aiming to secure global net zero by the middle of this century. As an off-road rally series which focuses on the promotion of electric vehicles and clean energy innovations, the former mine is the perfect natural amphitheatre to showcase the necessary industry transition to move from fossil fuels to clean energy futures, and the central role Scotland wants to play in that just transition.”
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, said: “We are thrilled to be headed to Scotland for the Hydro X Prix, and we could not have found a more perfect racing site than the former Glenmuckloch coal mine. Here in Scotland, our race site will play homage to the much needed transition of an old coal mine which is being given a new and exciting lease of life as a hydro-project which will provide a fully renewable energy source for the region for centuries to come.”
Extreme E has also revealed its plans to support the restoration of the River Nith to ensure the preservation of Atlantic salmon numbers. Partnering with the Nith District Salmon Fishery Board, the aim is to reverse the impact of climate change through community engagement, education, and the application of science.
The aim is to re-meander rivers, introduce large woody structures to create diversity on the riverbed and spawning substrate for salmon, stabilise riverbanks with green-engineering, plant 200 hectares of riparian woodlands, and install 100 leaky dams to help slow the river flow and reduce erosion.
Extreme E doesn’t have spectators at its races, in order to keep its carbon footprint to a minimum, but the Hydro X Prix will be shown live on STV at 1300 – 1500 on both Saturday 13 May and Sunday 14 May.
For more information on the race, visit here
