Glasgow Airport announces plans to build on-site solar farm

Glasgow Airport has announced plans to build an onsite solar farm in a bid to become net zero.

The 30-acre ground-mounted solar farm will generate enough power for both the airport campus and neighbouring businesses, creating enough energy to power around 52,000 homes.

The c.15MW solar farm is already in the early stages of development subject to planning and is expected to be operational by 2023 subject to planning approval.

The solar farm is the latest in a number of initiatives the airport and its parent group AGS Airports have launched in a bid to become net zero, including plans to switch to electric vehicles.

Derek Provan, chief executive of AGS Airports, said: “All of our electricity is already purchased from 100% renewable sources and has been since 2018, however, the creation of the solar farm at Glasgow Airport will allow us to become self-sustaining by generating enough clean energy for both the airport and our neighbours.

“As one of the UK’s leading regional airport groups that serves the Highlands and Islands there’s a real opportunity for AGS to become a testbed for hydrogen and electric flight and the solar farm gives us the ability to future proof for an increase in electricity demand.

“There will be additional demand due to the electrification of operational vehicles, taxis, rental cars and we will also launch a green car scheme to support our staff to switch to electric vehicles. All of this will require electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

“We need to anticipate these changes and the steps we are taking today will ensure we can meet both the demands of the future and our net zero targets.”