New solar power project coming to Millport will provide new defibrillator

Union Technical, a leading Scottish energy services provider, is set to install solar PV and battery storage systems across owner-occupied homes in the island town.

The project, in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and Carbon Neutral Islands, will generate free electricity to power homes and help reduce residents’ energy bills.

 As well as energy-saving measures, the initiative will provide additional benefits to the local community including a new defibrillator which will be fitted at Millport fire station.

New solar power project coming to Millport will benefit 30 homes and provide a new defibrillator (Image: NQ)

Union Technical will support Cumbrae Primary School with educational resources and initiatives developed in collaboration with the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and the Developing the Young Workforce campaign.

 Chris Cogan, construction director at Union Technical, said: “We are pleased to be delivering our first project for North Ayrshire Council and to bring tangible benefits to the Millport community.

“The solar and battery systems will provide free electricity to residents while reducing fuel costs, and our additional support for the local primary school and community health services demonstrates our commitment to lasting, positive impacts.

New solar power project coming to Millport will benefit 30 homes and provide a new defibrillator (Image: Supplied)

 “With a strong track record of delivering similar projects at scale through our skilled on-site teams – but also in customer aftercare — we want to ensure residents gain the maximum benefit from these upgrades.”

Councillor Eleanor Collier, cabinet member for green environment and economy, said: “Projects like this one are vital when it comes to helping residents find ways to heat their homes in a more environmentally-friendly way that helps to cut their energy bills.

“As a local authority, we are working towards becoming net zero by 2030 and this solar and battery programme aligns with our target.”

Scott Watson, community development officer for the Carbon Neutral Islands Project, said: “This latest phase of the Millport Solar PV and Battery Project continues our community’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2040, whilst delivering on local priorities including lower energy bills, reduced fuel poverty, and warmer homes for island residents.

Following these 30 installations, Cumbrae will have seen an increase of over 600 per cent in rooftop solar PV generating capacity in just three years.

This brings the project to over two thirds of its 2030 target of 1MW of rooftop solar across the island. This equates to a combined £120k in annual energy bill savings for the community. 

Previous phases of this project have already received national recognition, including winning ‘Best Community Project’ at the 2025 Scottish Renewables Green Energy Awards.

The project will also see a contribution of a defibrillator, replacing the dated public unit at Millport Community Fire Station.