SOLAR ENERGY POWERS UP THE MACALLAN ESTATE

Partnership with EDF Renewables UK enables distillery to meet up to 25 per cent of annual electricity demand

A solar project in Moray, delivered by EDF Renewables UK, is now complete and generating power to help The Macallan Estate to further decarbonise its whisky-making processes.

The 2.1MW ground-mounted solar panel system will support the production of The Macallan’s single malt Scotch whisky in Craigellachie delivering up to 50 per cent of the distillery’s daytime electricity needs and around 25 per cent of overall annual electricity demand. 

Situated in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan Estate sits amongst 485-acres of land and has been home to the iconic whisky brand for over 200 years.

Following planning approval from Moray Council in early 2024, construction started in summer last year, with completion and handover of the project to The Macallan Estate now taken place. The system consists of 3,170 solar panels and 14 inverters.

SAS Energy, EDF Renewables UK’s commercial and industrial solar division, and The Macallan have been working with local communities surrounding the development to keep them informed about the project. This is the first commercial and industrial solar project of its kind that EDF Renewables UK has developed in Scotland. Glasgow-based Emtec Energy has completed the Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract for the project.

Rachael Kyle, Chief Operating Officer at SAS Energy, said: “The completion of our first Scottish commercial and industrial solar project is a fantastic milestone for SAS Energy and EDF Renewables UK.

“The project leads the way in showing how the whisky industry and the wider commercial and industrial sector can use onsite renewable energy to decarbonise, while increasing power resilience and reducing energy bills. The project has been a huge success due to the strong collaboration and shared vision between Emtec, The Macallan and SAS Energy. We are delighted to officially start operating the site generating and delivering local clean electricity directly to The Macallan.”

Rachel Walters, Operations Director at The Macallan commented: “The Macallan Estate has been our home for more than 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 complement the Distillery’s current biomass set up and will work in tandem with other projects to accelerate our net zero targets.” 

Chris Clark, Director of Emtec Energy commented: “At Emtec Energy, we’re proud to see this ground-breaking solar project now fully energised at The Macallan Estate. Delivering clean, on-site generation for such an iconic brand has been a privilege, and our collaboration with EDF Renewables UK and SAS Energy has highlighted the strength of our joint expertise in large-scale, behind-the-meter solar solutions.

“Decarbonising electricity use at source is a vital part of the journey to net zero, and The Macallan is now setting a powerful example for the Scotch whisky industry to follow.”