The Deputy First Minister has said an airside solar power project, which can provide more than a quarter of an airport’s electricity is a “fantastic example” of “real and lasting change”.

Kate Forbes was speaking as she officially opened an 11-acre solar farm, which is adjacent to the runway at Edinburgh Airport.

Capable of generating approximately 27% of the airport’s power needs, bosses said there have been times this year when the airport has operated solely on solar energy between 8.30am and 7pm.

The project, which was supported with £2.1m of Scottish Government money, is said to be the first of its kind in Scotland.

It was developed as Edinburgh Airport seeks to reduce its own emissions to net zero by 2030, with the airport saying it has already reduced these by 90% from 2019.

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