The Highland Council is progressing the development of two new solar power projects on Tain Common Good land as part of its strategy to increase renewable energy generation and achieve its Net Zero goals.

The proposals for Tain North and Tain South were recently approved under the Council’s Our Future Highland Delivery Plan 2024-2027. The schemes are categorised under the Investment and Innovation workstream, aiming to establish long-term, revenue-generating projects that benefit the local community.

The scheme at Tain North proposes the installation of a 121kWp ground-mounted solar PV array on a small section of the Grazing Let lands. This array would directly supply renewable electricity to the nearby Scottish Water Wastewater Treatment Works. Furthermore, the project is considering the inclusion of a small battery energy storage system to boost its overall efficiency and resilience.

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Similarly, the Tain South proposal will see a solar PV array installed on land that has been unlet for grazing in recent years, with the potential to supply clean electricity directly to the adjacent Glenmorangie Distillery.

Councillor Lyndsey Johnston, Chair of the Black Isle and Easter Ross Area Committee, welcomed the progress, calling the projects an "excellent example of how we can make smart use of our local assets to generate renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions and create long-term benefits."

Both projects will now enter a formal Common Good consultation regarding the proposed change of land use. In addition to generating clean electricity and enhancing energy resilience for public services, the schemes are expected to deliver biodiversity improvements and a sustainable, long-term income for the Tain community.