Work begins on £18.5 million airport solar farm

Work to create Scotland’s largest airport-based solar farm is now underway, following completion of the development phase of the project.Glasgow Airport, in partnership with energy developer Ikigai Group, has also completed the subsequent successful financial close for a 19.9MW solar plant with Zestec Renewable Energy. Approximately £18.5m is being invested to create the solar farm.The 40-acre, ground-mounted solar array will be located on airport-owned land next to Barnsford Road. It will be built in phases to accommodate current and future demand of the airport, as well as neighbouring businesses, which will be able to access low-cost energy.Construction will take place over the coming months, with completion of the first phase expected in summer 2024.The plant will be owned and operated by Zestec, which is owned by funds managed by Octopus Energy Generation, and on completion it should produce enough energy equivalent to powering light for approximately 15% of homes in the city of Glasgow.Ronald Leitch, operations director of Glasgow Airport, said: “The development of the solar farm marks a key milestone in our sustainability journey by giving the airport the ability to generate clean energy on-site.”This will advance our plans to decarbonise our own operations while supporting the net zero ambitions of our airport partners and neighbours.”Importantly, it also creates the foundation to turn the airport into an energy hub and allows us to progress our plans to support zero emission flight.”Helena Anderson, chief operating officer at the Ikigai Group, stated: “We are currently working with the airport on additional on-site energy solutions, including the roll out of electric vehicle charging and green hydrogen production, with low-cost, private wire solar energy as the enabler.”Following a tender process led by Ikigai, Zestec was selected as the preferred partner to undertake the development – including construction, procurement and operation.Toby Smith, chief operating officer of Zestec, added: “We are excited to include this solar plant in our growing family of behind-the-meter solutions designed to help Glasgow Airport decarbonise its operations.”Don’t miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter – sign up here for free.