Some of my friends in Scotland (and elsewhere too) seem to think that whisky solves all problems. Now Scotland’s power needs are being met by Scottish whisky distilleries.

So far 16 of Speyside’s 50 distillers, including Macallan, Glenlivet, Famous Gouse and Chivas Regal have signed on to a biomass and powerplant project at Rothes that will use whisky making by-products to produce energy for public use.

Huge amounts of “draff”, the spent grains from the distilling process, are produced by the whisky industry. The Rothes Project will burn the draff to generate enough electricity for more than 9,000 homes and businesses.

Another bioenergy project at Scotland’s largest distillery, Cameronbridge in Fife, is almost complete. It will provide more than 90% of the distillery’s power needs.

As yet, my favorite single malt distiller, Blair Athol, has opted out.