EDF Renewables and The Macallan Estate have been given the green light for 4MW solar project in Moray, Scotland.
The development will support the production of The Macallan’s single malt Scotch whisky in Craigellachie, enabling it to accelerate its net zero journey. The ground-mounted solar panels will deliver up to 50% of the daytime electricity needs at peak output for the distillery and around 30% of overall annual electricity demand.
Situated in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan Estate (pictured) sits in 485 acres and has been home to the whisky brand for almost 200 years.
In recent months EDF and The Macallan have been working closely with local communities surrounding the development to keep them informed about the project. This is the first commercial and industrial solar project of is kind that EDF Renewables has developed in Scotland.
The planning application includes a landscaping scheme to minimise the visual impact of the array and enhance existing wildlife habitats.
“We are delighted to be working with The Macallan Estate to deliver this renewables project,” said EDF Renewables director of development Deanna Greenhalgh.
“The project will help decarbonise the distillery’s operations, reduce energy costs in an ever more uncertain energy environment and lead the way in showing how the whisky industry can strive towards achieving net zero targets.
“It is an exciting project for EDF Renewables as one of our first commercial and industrial solar projects in Scotland.”
Operations director at The Macallan Rachel Walters added: “The Macallan Estate has been our home for nearly 200 years, and we have always had an inherent respect for the natural world that surrounds us.
“The introduction of solar panels at The Macallan Estate is the latest initiative designed to help us build a more sustainable future, complementing the Distillery’s current biomass set up and will work in tandem with other projects to accelerate our net zero targets.”