A SOLAR farm is to be built at Glasgow Airport as part its ongoing commitment to decarbonise its infrastructure.

The 30 acre site aims to generate enough power for the airport campus and neighbouring businesses, which would be the equivalent to powering around 52,000 households.

AGS Airports, which owns Glasgow Airport, said the c.15MW solar farm was in the early stages of development and is expected to be operational by summer 2023 subject to planning approval.

The plant is the latest in a number of initiatives the airport and its parent group is undertaking to support its journey to net zero.

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."

AGS 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.

The airport group achieved carbon neutrality status in 2020 and as part of its sustainability strategy which it launched in June 2021, AGS set out a roadmap for its transition to net zero by the mid-2030s.

Roberto Castiglioni, co-founder of Ikigai, said: "AGS have always understood the importance of a holistic approach to the decarbonisation challenge and the importance of starting with quick wins to generate traction with stakeholders. 

"This solar project is just the beginning of a wider investment plan for Glasgow Airport that will encompass digitisation, energy efficiency and fuel decarbonisation to supply not only airport's demand but also local community."