Deputy First Minister officially opens airside solar farm

One of the UK’s first airside solar farms has officially been opened at Edinburgh Airport by Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes. 

The eleven-acre farm is located adjacent to Edinburgh Airport’s runway and provides approximately 27% of the airport’s energy needs. On several occasions this year, the airport has operated solely on solar power between 0830-1900, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy within the airport environment. 

The project is the first of its kind in Scotland and has been supported by £2.1 million of Scottish Government funding aimed at helping businesses decarbonise as part of the route to net zero. 

The airport has worked in partnership with solar experts AMPYR Solar Europe (ASE) to develop, fund and operate the project, which has been generating power since 2024, with 2025 marking its first full year of operation as the technology becomes an integral part of the airport’s energy mix. 

Edinburgh Airport is working hard to reduce its emissions, in line with its net zero aspiration of 2030 for its own emissions. It has achieved a 90% reduction in its own emissions since 2019, and the solar farm is contributing towards the Zero Carbon pillar of the Greater Good sustainability strategy.  

The airport is the only one in Scotland to reach Level 4+ in the global Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme - one of just 50 worldwide and six in the UK, and as part of the VINCI Airports network, Edinburgh supports the wider goal of net zero emissions across European and UK airports by 2030. 

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said: 
“Making sure we have a sustainable future is one of our most important goals, and it’s important that we innovate and harness technology that can help deliver that for the airport. 

“The introduction of the UK’s first airfield solar farm is a key part of our Greater Good sustainability strategy, delivering almost 27% of our energy needs and diversifying our energy mix – and we are proud to be an airport that continues to look to innovative solutions to meet our goals. 

“It also demonstrates how government and the private sector can work together to help deliver a more sustainable Scotland alongside, in our case, the benefits of air travel and connectivity to the economy.” 

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: 
“The Scottish Government is committed to working with the private sector to accelerate Scotland’s transition to a net zero future. Edinburgh Airport’s solar farm is a fantastic example of how government support, combined with private sector appetite and expertise, can deliver real and lasting change. 

“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. I am proud that Scottish Government funding has played a part in making this vision a reality and showing the kind of leadership we need on the journey to net zero.” 

Tarun Agrawal, CEO of AMPYR Solar Europe said: 
“In constructing this solar park, ASE is pleased to have partnered with Edinburgh Airport in support of its “Greater Good” sustainability strategy. 

“The Edinburgh Airport project is the first of 6 major solar, BESS and on-shore wind investment projects that AMPYR shareholders have made in Scotland, making them one of the most significant inward investors into the Scottish renewables sector. The commitment shown by Scottish Government has critically provided certainty and confidence, and we look forward to contributing further to Scotland’s energy transition. 

“The Edinburgh Airport solar farm further strengthens ASE’s PV and BESS asset footprint in the UK, and reflects our continuing growth as a leading European IPP with world class assets in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.” 

Background 

Edinburgh Airport is Where Scotland Meets The World. As Scotland's busiest airport, it welcomed 15.8 million people in 2024 - a record for any Scottish airport. Working with 36 airlines and flying to 155 destinations, the airport is a major economic driver for Scotland. A report from BiGGAR economics in 2020 found that Edinburgh Airport generated £1.4 billion Gross Value Added (GVA) and 28,000 jobs in the Scottish economy. The airport strives to build on that contribution and grow responsibly through its Greater Good sustainability strategy, ensuring a sustainable future for aviation in Scotland and for the airport and the people it benefits. 

Headquartered in London, with offices in Maastricht, Utrecht, Frankfurt and Berlin, AMPYR Solar Europe is an Independent Solar and BESS focused IPP with in-house end-to-end capability across Asset Development, Financing, Construction, Operations and Power Sales. AMPYR Solar Europe's unique platform benefits from a highly experienced sponsor group: AGP Sustainable Real Assets brings extensive experience in establishing and operating GW scale renewable platforms; Hartree Partners provides cutting-edge power trading analytics and zero-carbon solutions; while ESI brings in-depth local knowledge and land development capability.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: AMPYR Solar Europe