The largest community energy project in the UK this year (2024) has gone live with the commissioning of the Bullionfield Solar Meadow on the outskirts of Dundee. This 2.6MW solar PV farm has been developed by the Dundee Renewable Energy Society (DRES) and is directly connected to the James Hutton Institute (JHI) at its Invergowrie campus.
It is a perfect example of how community energy and commercial requirements can work hand-in-hand. The community benefit society has developed the project through the planning and procurement phases with Scene's support and financed the project through a community share raise organised by Energy4All. DRES' share of the project revenue will contribute to local social and environmental projects in Dundee and the surrounding local area. The James Hutton Institute has provided the land and committed to a long-term power purchase agreement. By securing over 25% of the Invergowrie site's electrical demand from a direct renewable supply, JHI will benefit from a share in project revenue, lower energy costs, long term price stability, and significant progress towards its net-zero goals.
It's been a long road getting here with some significant barriers along the way - not least connecting the power underneath the dual carriageway. The project couldn't have been achieved without the effective collaboration of all the key partners, including the contractor Munro Wilson, who have delivered the project under budget. And although the weather is definitely feeling autumnal, commissioning in October is actually perfect timing as it coincides with the official opening of JHI's new buildings following major redevelopment.