AGS Airports launches Horizons sustainability strategy

AGS Airports has launched its Horizons sustainability strategy as Glasgow Airport’s new 10MW solar farm begins generating renewable electricity to meet around 25% of onsite demand, supporting net zero ambitions.

Summary:

AGS Airports has launched its Horizons sustainability strategy, reaffirming its commitment to achieving net zero for its own emissions by 2035 across Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports.
Glasgow Airport’s new 10MW solar farm, featuring more than 14,300 photovoltaic panels, will generate enough renewable electricity to meet around 25% of the airport’s onsite demand and save an estimated 1,100 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually.
AGS Airports plans to explore replicating the solar farm model at Aberdeen and Southampton airports, while advancing innovation in sustainable aviation, including zero-emission passenger flights.

AGS Airports (operator of the UK’s Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports) has unveiled Horizons – Looking ahead, acting together – and celebrated a major sustainability milestone as Glasgow Airport’s solar farm begins generating enough renewable electricity to meet around 25% of the airport’s onsite demand. The project was developed by AGS Airports in partnership with energy transition adviser and developer Ikigai Group.

The 10MW farm located on Glasgow Airport land has been funded and delivered by Zestec Renewable Energy, which will manage and optimise the infrastructure long-term. Comprising more than 14,300 photovoltaic panels, the development generates renewable energy to help power airport operations and reduce reliance on energy from the grid.

The solar farm is a key initiative within Horizons, AGS Airports’ sustainability and ESG strategy, which sets out the group’s long-term ambitions across four strategic pillars:

Achieving Net Zero
Supporting Our Communities
Supporting Our People
Innovation

Under the strategy, AGS Airports has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving net zero for its own emissions by 2035 while continuing to create positive impacts for the communities it serves, investing in its people and championing innovation across the aviation sector. The completion of the solar farm represents one of the most significant achievements in AGS Airports’ journey towards net zero and demonstrates the company’s commitment to turning strategy into action.

“The launch of Horizons marks an important moment for AGS Airports as we set out a clear vision for building a more sustainable future for our airports,” said Fiona Smith, Executive Director of ESG & Sustainability, AGS Airports. “Looking ahead, acting together captures our belief that meaningful progress can only be achieved through collaboration. The solar farm is an example of that approach in action and a major milestone on our sustainability journey.”

The opening of the farm sees AGS Airports achieve another of its targets, generating 25% of onsite renewable energy for its own use at Glasgow Airport by the end of 2026, improving energy efficiency across its airport operations. Crucially, the solar farm is also expected to save around 1,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) based on grid electricity emissions per year.

Looking to the future, innovation will remain a core focus of the Horizons strategy, with attention now turning to how the success of the solar farm can be replicated at Aberdeen International and Southampton airports. The company has also set its sights on helping to deliver the UK’s first scheduled zero-emission passenger route. Earlier this year, AGS Airports supported the UK’s first real-world electric aviation demonstration programme with BETA Technologies’ all-electric ALIA aircraft completing flights across Scotland. The trials showed how zero-emission aircraft could operate from existing airport infrastructure in the years ahead.

“By generating clean energy onsite, we are reducing our carbon footprint, strengthening our energy resilience and creating long-term value for the airport and the communities we serve,” said Kam Jandu, Chief Executive Officer, AGS Airports. “Horizons reflects our ambition not only to reduce our environmental impact but also to help shape the future of sustainable aviation. Horizons and the targets we have set ensure AGS Airports continues to lead by example.”