PLANS by the University of St Andrews for a new solar farm have been given the seal of approval by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.
The farm will provide electricity to the campus located just outside of St Andrews in Guardbridge, with the development backed by a Scottish Funding Council Loan and supported by the Vacant & Derelict Land Fund from the Scottish Government and Fife Council.
In addition to providing power to Walter Bower House and other buildings on campus, the electrical supply will be utilised by electric vehicle charging points and the installation of battery storage.
Forbes said: “Scotland’s colleges and universities have a key role to play in rebuilding our economy and in helping Scotland meet its economic and climate goals in a way that is inclusive, as well as being beneficial on a local, national and international scale.
“The leadership shown by the University of St Andrews in transforming the Eden Campus into a vibrant centre of green innovation and job creation will ensure further opportunities for the University to harness green energy and drive inclusive growth in the local economy.
“These projects are not only an important step in the journey for the Eden Campus to become carbon neutral, but it is also an important step in helping Scotland to meet the ambitious goal of being net zero by 2045.”
The move further reduces the University’s overall carbon footprint by around 5%.
The expectation is that the Eden Campus will be completely carbon-neutral within the next five years.
University principal and vice-chancellor Professor Sally Mapstone said: “We are one of the world’s most ancient universities, but we strive to be one of the most modern and innovative.
“Social responsibility and sustainability are at the heart of our strategic plan.
“We are committed to a programme of decarbonisation, the efficient use of heat and water resources across our estate, as well as deep-seated institutional commitment to all forms of environmental degradation by 2035, including through sustainable practice and policy.”
Mapstone added: “St Andrews is also at the heart of world-leading research into harnessing green energy, including the development of hydrogen trains, which has resulted in a strong relationship between the School of Chemistry and the Eden Campus as a scale-up site for research and development, as well as being the University’s front door for commercial collaboration with more than 100 companies engaging in the site since 2020.”
