THE HERALD is helping to keep the lights on in Scotland by teaming up with Edinburgh-based aggregator, Flexitricity.

Titles in the Herald and Times Group have become the first newspapers to partner with the firm, which gives the National Grid access to the publisher’s back-up generators during times of peak demand.

In return, the firm is set to secure new revenue worth up to £250,000 over five years, with no impact on its ordinary day-to-day business.

Stuart McLean, print centre manager at Herald and Times Group, said: “We had previously been unaware of demand response and hadn’t realised its merits in terms of generating new revenue for our business.

“Our back-up generators - which are kept to ensure our newspaper titles including The Herald and Evening Times always go to print, even in a blackout – are now being utilised as an energy asset, helping to support Scotland’s energy security through this essential service.”