Edinburgh Airport has implemented solar power to reduce emissions. Supported by the Scottish Government, the solar farm is built right next to the airport. The farm is one of the United Kingdom’s (UK) first air-side solar farms and aligns with the airport’s strategy to reduce emissions by 2030.
Edinburgh Airport solar farm
Kate Forbes, deputy first minister, initiated the solar farms alongside Edinburgh Airport. The solar farm is located adjacent to the airport’s runway, and about 11 acres of land has been provided for the project. About 27% of the airport’s energy is provided by the solar farm, as the airport operates mostly on solar power between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Edinburgh Airport is working to lower its emissions as part of its goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. A new renewable energy project—described as the first of its kind in Scotland—aims to support that target by reducing the airport’s carbon footprint. The initiative has received £2.1 million in funding from the Scottish Government as part of its broader effort to help businesses decarbonise.
Cutting emissions
AMPYR Solar Europe (ASE), a contributor to the global energy transition, partnered with Edinburgh Airport to develop, finance, and manage the solar energy project. Since 2019, the airport has reduced its emissions by 90%, with the solar farm—operational since 2024—supporting the Zero Carbon pillar of its Greater Good sustainability strategy.
Edinburgh Airport is currently the only airport in Scotland to achieve Level 4+ status under the global Airport Carbon Accreditation program, placing it among just 50 airports worldwide and six in the UK to reach that standard. As part of the VINCI Airports network, the airport also contributes to the broader goal of reaching net-zero emissions across all European and UK airports by 2030. Gordon Dewar, chief executive officer at Edinburgh Airport, commented the sustainable future of the airport and the importance it holds. Kate Forbes considered the project a demonstration of effective collaboration between the Scottish Government and the private sector’s capabilities in delivering a more sustainable future for the country and the benefits of air travel and connectivity to the economy. Forbes said:
“By generating clean energy on site, this pioneering project is not only helping one of the country’s most important transport hubs cut emissions but also supporting green jobs, energy resilience and sustainable economic growth.”
Tarun Agrawal, chief executive officer at AMPYR Solar Europe, added that the project at Edinburgh Airport is the first of six major solar, BESS, and onshore wind investment projects that the shareholders at AMPYR have made in the country.
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