The Crichton Quarter Microgrid & Solar energy Project:

The Crichton Trust has secured almost £250,000 in funding from the CARES Community Energy Generation Growth Fund to kickstart the development of an innovative energy initiative across our 85-acre estate in Dumfries and explore how we can share the energy we generate with our neighbours.                                                                  

We will develop plans for a solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage system, integrated with the existing microgrid to serve over 190 SMEs, NHS facilities, educational institutions, and cultural assets on the estate. With the goal of decarbonising, stabilising energy costs, and building community wealth through local energy generation and community ownership. 

Why It Matters? 

• Carbon Reduction: Up to 2,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually across The Crichton Trust’s estate and our neighbours. 
• Energy Resilience: Protecting tenants from market volatility and enabling “energy island” capability during grid outages. 
• Community Wealth Building: focusing on energy affordability for our SMEs, tenants and key local services and investing in sustainable community assets for local benefit. 
• Skills & Innovation: Partnering with the University of Glasgow and D&G College to support green skills, research and innovation in community energy planning. 

What’s Next? 

Between now and February 2026, we’ll conduct technical feasibility studies, financial modelling, and stakeholder engagement to build a robust business case and detailed plans for a solar array and energy storage system.  

Building on our heritage of innovation in energy: 

The Crichton Royal Hospital was the first place in Dumfries to be electrified in 1894.  Including it’s own electrical generation and used a form of water battery to store energy for when it was needed. This technology enabled The Crichton to store energy in the summer to power the estate in the winter. The Crichton’s works team installed the electrical system on the Hospital buildings, and then helped electrify other buildings in Dumfries, including the Post Office on Buccleuch Street. 

Our heritage of innovation, skills development and collaboration in energy  is a model we plan to continue.

This project is a big step toward a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient energy future for The Crichton, Dumfries and potentially a model for other places and communities.