Scottish Council Initiates Solar Duo Groundbreaking, Pioneering Clean Energy Path

North Ayrshire Council in Scotland has begun construction on two solar farms, marking the first solar farms to be owned and operated by a local authority in Scotland. The projects, developed with Ameresco, are part of the Council's efforts to cut carbon emissions and earn income to sustain local services. The Nethermains solar farm, located on a former landfill site, will feature over 12,000 solar panels and is expected to generate approximately 7700MWh of electricity annually. The Shewalton solar PV farm will generate around 5,400MWh to supply the local electricity grid once operational.

The construction of these solar farms is a major milestone in North Ayrshire Council's Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. The projects, representing a £12m investment, will not only help reduce carbon emissions but also provide revenue for the Council and community benefits through the sale of electricity generated. The Nethermains solar farm alone is expected to power over 2000 homes and contribute to the Council's goal of reaching net zero by 2030.