Ameresco Teams Up With North Ayrshire Council To Turn Landfills Into Solar Farms, Driving Net-Zero Ambitions

Ameresco, Inc., a leading provider of clean energy solutions, has announced progress on two innovative solar projects in North Ayrshire, Scotland. Developed in partnership with Detra Solar, the Nethermains and Shewalton solar farms mark a key step in North Ayrshire Council’s Sustainable North Ayrshire Strategy, which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Together, the two sites will host 20,650 solar panels with a combined DC capacity of 12.91 MW. These solar farms are expected to generate approximately 13,177 MWh of clean energy annually, enough to power over 2,000 homes. By repurposing unused landfill sites, these projects will also help reduce regional CO2 emissions by approximately 3,030 tonnes each year, turning unproductive land into a source of sustainable energy.

Mark Apsey MBE, Senior Vice President at Ameresco, stated “We are thrilled to be spearheading this groundbreaking solar installation for North Ayrshire Council. By transforming previously unusable landfill sites into shining examples of sustainability and clean energy, we are making a substantial impact on the region’s carbon footprint. These solar arrays will not only provide green electricity but also create valuable employment opportunities for local communities, reinforcing our commitment to environmental stewardship and economic growth.”

Councilor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy at North Ayrshire Council, mentioned, “A huge amount of work has taken place at Nethermains and Shewalton, and it won’t be long before both sites are producing clean energy which will feed into the national grid. As well as providing a welcome revenue stream for the Council which can be reinvested into North Ayrshire, it also ramps up our ongoing efforts to combat climate change and cut carbon emissions.”

During the design phase of the Nethermains project, the discovery of badgers created an unexpected challenge, requiring a redesign to protect their habitat. This situation emphasized the need to balance clean energy development with biodiversity conservation. The project’s success shows that renewable energy and wildlife protection can go hand in hand, offering a model for future projects.

The solar farms will provide significant benefits to the local community and environment. Beyond supporting net-zero targets, they will create a steady revenue stream for North Ayrshire Council through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and boost local jobs and economic growth.

Construction is moving quickly, and both farms are expected to start generating energy early this year. By turning landfill sites into solar farms while safeguarding wildlife, Ameresco and its partners demonstrate how innovative approaches can meet climate goals and protect nature at the same time.