The development, in partnership with EDF Renewables UK, will be up to 4MW in size and will support the production of The Macallan’s single malt Scotch whisky in Craigellachie, enabling it to accelerate its net zero journey. The ground-mounted solar panels will deliver up to 50% of the daytime electricity needs at peak output for the distillery and around 30% 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 almost 200 years.

In recent months EDF Renewables UK, one of the leading developers of low carbon electricity in the UK, and The Macallan have been working closely with local communities surrounding the development to keep them informed about the project. This is the first commercial and industrial solar project of is kind that EDF Renewables UK has developed in Scotland.

The planning application includes a landscaping scheme to minimise the visual impact of the development and enhance existing wildlife habitats.

Deanna Greenhalgh, director of development within EDF Renewables UK’s commercial and industrial solar business, SAS Energy, said: “We are delighted to be working with The Macallan Estate to deliver this renewables project. The project will help decarbonise the Distillery’s operations, reduce energy costs in an ever more uncertain energy environment and lead the way in showing how the whisky industry can strive towards achieving net zero targets. It is an exciting project for EDF Renewables as one of our first commercial and industrial solar projects in Scotland.”

Rachel Walters, operations director at The Macallan, said: “The Macallan Estate has been our home for nearly 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 build a more sustainable future, complementing the Distillery’s current biomass set up and will work in tandem with other projects to accelerate our net zero targets.”