New 7MW solar project to supply 25% of operations and support local school’s transition from oil

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A major new renewable energy project in Scotland will see Highland Spring Group partner with SSE Energy Solutions to develop a 7-megawatt solar array overlooking its main production site in Blackford, Perthshire. The initiative marks a significant milestone in Highland Spring’s sustainability strategy and the wider push toward net-zero goals in the UK.

The 23-acre solar farm, scheduled to begin construction in summer 2025, will generate enough electricity to cover up to a quarter of the Blackford site’s power needs once fully operational in early 2026. The site includes the company’s manufacturing plant and offices.

In addition to powering the bottled water producer’s facilities, the solar array will directly benefit the surrounding community. Blackford Primary School, currently reliant on oil for heating, will receive free electricity from the project, enabling the school to decarbonise and improve its environmental footprint.

A Community-Centred Design

The solar development has been designed with minimal environmental impact and community benefit in mind. As part of the initiative, electric vehicle charging points will also be made available for local residents, further embedding the project into the area’s sustainability journey.

Jim Fairlie, MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, welcomed the project’s dual focus on industry and community support.
“Highland Spring is an important local employer which has done a power of work in recent years to decarbonise. I welcome this partnership between Highland Spring and SSE Energy Solutions, and the community benefit that it will bring both for the school and for the community through the EV chargers.”

SSE Energy Solutions is developing the solar farm under its Net Zero Acceleration Programme Plus, a wider strategy involving £20 billion of green energy investments to be deployed by 2030. The company said the project exemplifies how public-private collaboration can advance energy resilience while promoting a just transition to renewable power.

“This partnership with Highland Spring marks a key step in Scotland’s renewable energy journey,” said Stuart Batty, Senior Project Development at SSE Energy Solutions.
“By uniting our expertise with Highland Spring’s sustainable leadership, the 7MW solar project is a fantastic example of local power in action, decarbonising businesses and enhancing energy resilience for the community.”

Sustainability Leadership in Practice

The solar development reflects Highland Spring Group’s broader ambition to decarbonise its business “from source to shelf.” The company has accelerated its environmental strategy in recent years, working with partners to embed sustainable practices across its supply chain.

Highland Spring was among the first UK companies to have its net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) under its rigorous Net-Zero Standard. The company also earned a ‘B’ score from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for its actions to address climate change — a strong rating for a business of its size.

“Environmental and social responsibility have always been at the heart of our purpose and this project not only positively supports our sustainability strategy but our good neighbour programme too,” said Simon Oldham, Managing Director of Highland Spring Group.
“Harnessing the renewable energy transition is a key part of our journey towards a zero-carbon future, and we are delighted to have collaborated with SSE to bring this solar site to life.”

Education and Energy in Focus

Blackford Primary School stands to gain significantly from the development, with the promise of free renewable electricity serving both as a financial benefit and an educational opportunity.

“The solar farm is a major development for the local community and on behalf of the entire school I am delighted that we will benefit in a tangible way from Highland Spring’s focus on renewable, sustainable energy,” said Margaret McMillan, Head Teacher at the school.

The initiative also drew support from local government. Councillor Liz Barrett, Vice-Convener for Climate Change and Sustainability at Perth and Kinross Council, highlighted the value of localised renewable energy projects.

“The impact of climate change means we all need to consider renewable sources wherever we can as the way forward for energy generation. This is a major project for the Blackford area, and I warmly welcome the valuable support to local life that Highland Spring and SSE will provide through the solar farm both in EV chargers for community use and significantly, a free electricity supply for Blackford Primary School.”

Context: The Rise of Industrial Solar in the UK

The Highland Spring project is part of a growing trend among manufacturers investing in on-site renewable generation. Solar power installations are becoming increasingly common across the UK’s food and beverage sector, with companies seeking to cut operational costs and reduce their reliance on grid energy amid rising demand for ESG transparency.

According to Solar Energy UK, installed solar capacity in the UK passed 15GW in 2023, with commercial installations driving a large share of that growth. The rise of corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) and investment in solar infrastructure demonstrates that renewables are no longer a fringe sustainability initiative but a core component of industrial strategy.

Highland Spring’s investment underscores the evolving expectations for large companies to act as environmental stewards not only within their supply chains but also in the communities they operate in.