AGS Airports has announced it will build the largest airport solar farm in Scotland.
The 30-acre, ground mounted solar farm will give Glasgow Airport the capability to generate enough power for the airport campus and neighbouring businesses.
It is predicted to generate the equivalent of powering almost 20% of homes in Glasgow or 52,000 households.
The 15 MegaWatt (MW) array is already in the early stages of development and, subject to planning, it is expected to be operational by summer 2023.
The plant represents just one of a number of initiatives the airport and its parent group is undertaking to decarbonise its infrastructure and achieve net zero by the mid-2030s.
AGS, which also owns Aberdeen and Southampton airports, is also in the final phase of a procurement process for Internet of Things (IoT) services to reduce its overall energy consumption by using digital technology and artificial intelligence.
Earlier this month, AGS announced it had formed the Scottish wind energy consortium with Katrick Technologies and the University of Strathclyde to enable a faster transition to clean power by exploiting low-level wind energy.
Meanwhile, the airport group is working with net zero consultancy firm Ikigai, which advises large infrastructure projects on delivering energy transition, while adding value by co-developing energy solutions with the asset owners.
Derek Provan, chief executive at 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."
Last June, Edinburgh Airport revealed its sustainability strategy that sought to help decarbonise the airport sector, which included plans to build an 11-acre solar farm beside the runways.
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