South Ayrshire Solar Farm Development Updates
We're currently looking at sites which could be used as the location for a Council operated solar farm.
The sites at Glenburn Bing adjacent to Prestwick Airport,Cockhill near Ayr Hospital and Greenan shore have already been considered. Further work to determine suitability will be undertaken on these sites.
A key factor in determining the appropriate location is proximity to potential energy users, as this would allow us to sell energy to either local commercial or large-scale users or the national grid.
Proceeds from the solar farm would be used to protect and enhance public services.
November 2025 Update: Online Information Event for Potential Off-Takers: Glenburn/Auchincruive Bing
In advance of issuing a Prior Information Notice via Public Contracts Scotland the Council will hold a short information event online via Microsoft Teams (date TBC). This event is aimed at commercial operations, businesses or organisations who may be interested in using energy generated from the site. The energy can't be used by residents or sold to residents. Members of the public / community groups will have the opportunity to be express their views at a later date. This event will give a brief summary of the proposals and information on the next steps for organisations who may be interested in the energy generated on this site. The event and further communications will be aimed at organisations who, in the opinion of the Council, represent potential energy offtakers of sufficient scale to make the project economically viable.
Register an interest by singing up here:South Ayrshire Council Solar Farm at Glenburn/Auchincruive Bing: Information Session - Fill out form
All information collected within this form will be regarded as commercially sensitive and will treated in confidence. All responses are voluntary. All information contained within this form, and discussed at the proposed event, will be strictly non-binding, non-contractual and without prejudice on either party.
For further information please contact [email protected]
FAQs
Why are you looking at a solar farm?
Solar farms offer a renewable form of energy. They are already used by several Councils to generate electricity which is sold on to commercial operations or the national grid. Renewable energy generation is relatively low cost, so it helps with the overall lowering of energy prices.Renewable energy can also help us to meet our 'green' targets.
Why can't you sell energy to local residents?
We can't sell energy direct to residents. To do that we would need to become an energy supplier as consumers are heavily protected by the regulatory regime and the licence to do that costs a lot of money. However surplus energy produced by the solar farm which is not used by nearby businesses could be sold to the grid.
Why can you sell to commercial businesses and other public organisations, but not residents?
This is due to technical restrictions on the type of generation and licensing costs to become an energy services company (ESCo).
Will the public get a say on where the solar farm could be located?
Once the preferred site is identified, there will be a public consultation as part of the planning process.
How long would the solar farm take to construct?
The full build period will be approximately 6 months end to end.
How long before the solar farm is generating electricity?
It would be around two years from the start to the end of the project.
What will be the total cost to the Council to put the solar farm in place?
We can't say at this stage. What we can say is that the cost of the solar farm would be met solely by the Council.
How many solar panels will the site have?
This will depend on the site and the continuing feasibility work. The Council will adhere to planning guidance on both quantity and location of panels.
How much will the Council earn from the electricity generated?
We don't know at this stage. This will depend on the scale of the solar farm. It would be our intention to use income to protect public services in the face of reducing budgets.
Are there plans to store the energy?
There are no plans to store the energy at this point.
What happens next?
Phase 2 feasibility studies are underway. A report will go to councillors towards the end of 2025. At that point a decision will be made if any of the locations are viable. The solar farm could be delivered in 24 months from commissioning to energisation.
