Genesis Scottish Open Boosts Sustainability with Hydrogen and Solar Power

Green hydrogen and solar power to run 2026 tournament at Renaissance Club

The 2026 Genesis Scottish Open will use green hydrogen and solar power across its infrastructure in July 2026, replacing diesel generators that have traditionally powered golf tournaments. This marks a significant shift in how major sporting events manage their energy consumption and carbon footprint.

The tournament takes place at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick between 9 and 12 July 2026. It carries a total prize fund of $9 million and is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, meaning results count toward both the Race to Dubai and the FedExCup standings.

For UK businesses watching sustainability requirements tighten across procurement, events, and supply chains, this represents a working example of renewable energy deployment at scale. Moreover, the technologies being used are becoming increasingly relevant to commercial operations beyond the sports sector.

How the renewable energy systems will work at the tournament

Two 250kWh Hydrogen Power Units will supply electricity to the main hospitality compound located between the first and 15th holes. These units include integrated battery storage and were funded with support from the Scottish Government.

The hydrogen units will power the Genesis Public Lounge, large viewing screens, and merchandise stores positioned at the 15th hole. A separate hydrogen unit near the 13th hole will power the entire broadcast compound. This will be the seventh DP World Tour event to run its broadcast operations entirely on green hydrogen, following the world-first deployment at the 2023 BMW PGA Championship.

Meanwhile, the Fan Village’s main stage and merchandise shop will run on solar power. Although solar energy is used across multiple DP World Tour events, this will be the first time it has been deployed at the Genesis Scottish Open specifically.

The hydrogen used in the power units is produced using renewable energy. At the point of generation, these systems emit only water as a byproduct. Consequently, they produce no carbon dioxide or particulate emissions during operation.

Projected emissions reductions and energy data

The organizers project that switching from diesel generators to hydrogen and solar will save approximately 16,200 kg of CO₂e compared to using diesel generators. Furthermore, the changes are expected to reduce emissions by roughly 600 kg of CO₂e compared to the 2025 event.

In 2025, the tournament used 872.377 kWh of grid electricity. The 2026 event will use more grid electricity overall because of connections required for broadcast operations and the 13th green. However, the hydrogen and solar systems will still replace the majority of what would otherwise have been diesel-powered infrastructure.

For context, traditional diesel generators remain standard at outdoor events because of their portability and high power output. Nevertheless, they produce direct emissions at the point of use. Hydrogen power units offer a direct replacement without on-site combustion emissions.

Wider environmental measures beyond energy sources

The hydrogen and solar program sits within a broader set of sustainability initiatives the tournament has branded as its Green Drive. These measures cover food sourcing, transport, waste, and materials.

All food served at the event is sourced within a 50-mile radius to reduce freight emissions. The Genesis electric vehicle fleet drove 10,000 miles during the previous tournament, saving an estimated 32 tonnes of CO₂e. The event also achieves zero waste to landfill through enhanced waste separation. Additionally, surplus food is donated to the East Lothian Food Bank.

The organizers have reduced raw materials such as plywood and PVC. Catering operations use biodegradable cups and wooden cutlery rather than single-use plastics. These changes address both waste volume and material lifecycle impacts.

Why UK businesses should pay attention to this deployment

The relevance for UK businesses extends beyond sports event management. Many small and medium-sized enterprises now face sustainability requirements through procurement frameworks, supply chain standards, and compliance obligations. Specifically, government contracts often require carbon reporting under PPN 06/21, and large customers increasingly audit supplier emissions.

Hydrogen and solar are no longer experimental. This tournament demonstrates their application in a commercial setting with significant power demands, time constraints, and public visibility. The technologies used are scalable and applicable to temporary installations, outdoor operations, and high-energy events.

For businesses tendering for public sector work, evidence of renewable energy use and emissions reduction is becoming standard. Understanding how these systems function in practice provides useful context when developing your own carbon reduction plans or responding to tender questions about environmental management.

The Scottish Government’s financial support for the hydrogen units also illustrates how public funding can reduce upfront costs for renewable energy adoption. Several UK grant schemes and support programs exist for businesses exploring similar transitions, particularly in Scotland where hydrogen infrastructure development is a policy priority.

Key facts about the 2026 Genesis Scottish Open sustainability program

• Two 250kWh Hydrogen Power Units will power the main hospitality compound and the entire broadcast operation, with funding support from the Scottish Government.
• Solar panels will supply electricity to the Fan Village’s main stage and merchandise shop for the first time at this tournament.
• The switch from diesel generators to hydrogen and solar is projected to save approximately 16,200 kg of CO₂e compared to diesel and reduce emissions by around 600 kg compared to the 2025 event.
• Green hydrogen produces only water as a byproduct at the point of generation, with no carbon dioxide or particulate emissions during operation.
• All food is sourced within a 50-mile radius, the electric vehicle fleet saved 32 tonnes of CO₂e in the previous year, and the event achieves zero waste to landfil through enhanced separation and food bank donations.
• The tournament takes place from 9 to 12 July 2026 at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick with a $9 million prize fund.

What this means for carbon reporting and supply chain requirements

Businesses working in events, facilities management, construction, or outdoor services face growing pressure to demonstrate emissions reductions. This pressure comes from multiple directions: client requirements, tender criteria, regulatory compliance, and supply chain audits.

The Genesis Scottish Open provides a practical case study in replacing high-emission temporary power sources. For many businesses, temporary power remains a significant emissions source, particularly for outdoor work, construction sites, or events. Diesel generators are portable and reliable, but they directly increase your Scope 1 emissions and complicate carbon reporting.

Hydrogen power units and solar arrays offer alternatives that reduce or eliminate on-site emissions. Importantly, they also create a clearer narrative when responding to sustainability questions in tenders or supply chain audits. Clients and procurement teams increasingly expect detailed answers about how you power temporary sites and what alternatives you have considered.

The cost equation is shifting. While diesel generators have low capital costs, fuel prices fluctuate and carbon pricing mechanisms are expanding. Renewable alternatives have higher upfront costs but lower running costs and greater long-term certainty. The Scottish Government’s support for this deployment reflects broader policy direction: public funding and incentives are increasingly available for renewable energy adoption, particularly for hydrogen.

For businesses subject to carbon reporting requirements such as PPN 06/21 compliance for public sector suppliers, reducing Scope 1 emissions from diesel use represents one of the more straightforward interventions. Unlike complex supply chain emissions, temporary power sources are directly within your control. Switching to hydrogen or solar creates measurable, verifiable reductions that improve your carbon reporting position.

Practical considerations for businesses exploring similar systems

If you are considering renewable power sources for temporary or outdoor operations, several practical factors matter. Hydrogen power units require a hydrogen supply chain. Currently, this limits their use to areas with established infrastructure or where suppliers can deliver hydrogen cylinders. Scotland has invested heavily in hydrogen infrastructure, but availability varies across the UK.

Solar power depends on available space, sunlight hours, and power storage capacity. For events or sites with lower energy demands, solar with battery storage is often more practical than hydrogen. However, for high-energy uses such as broadcast operations or large hospitality areas, hydrogen provides greater output from a smaller physical footprint.

Battery storage is essential for both technologies. Solar panels generate power intermittently, while hydrogen units may need to smooth supply. Integrated battery systems ensure consistent power delivery, which is critical for commercial operations where power interruptions are unacceptable.

The cost comparison depends on duration, power requirements, and location. For short-term use, diesel generators remain cheaper in most cases. For longer deployments, higher power demands, or operations where emissions reduction is contractually required, hydrogen and solar become more competitive. Additionally, grant funding through schemes such as the Scottish Government’s support can significantly reduce capital costs.

Several UK businesses now offer hydrogen power unit hire alongside traditional generator services. This makes trials possible without capital investment. Similarly, solar trailer systems can be hired for short-term deployments, allowing you to test the technology before committing to ownership.

How this fits within wider DP World Tour sustainability efforts

The Genesis Scottish Open is part of the DP World Tour’s broader environmental program. The tour has been deploying renewable energy at events since 2023 when the BMW PGA Championship became the first tournament to run its broadcast on green hydrogen. Since then, multiple events have adopted similar systems.

This creates a useful benchmark for other event organizers and businesses. The DP World Tour operates across multiple countries with different infrastructure, regulations, and supplier availability. Nevertheless, they have successfully deployed renewable energy across varied locations. This suggests the technologies are sufficiently mature and flexible for commercial adoption beyond ideal conditions.

The tournament’s Green Drive program addresses emissions beyond energy. Food sourcing within 50 miles, electric vehicle fleets, waste separation, and materials reduction all contribute to overall emissions reduction. For businesses developing their own sustainability programs, this multi-faceted approach reflects current best practice. Energy consumption is important, but comprehensive emissions reduction requires attention to transport, waste, materials, and supply chains.

The zero waste to landfill achievement is particularly relevant for businesses in events, hospitality, or construction. Waste disposal generates emissions and costs. Enhanced separation, reuse, and donation create measurable benefits while often reducing disposal costs. The partnership with East Lothian Food Bank also demonstrates how waste reduction can create social value alongside environmental benefits.

Where to find further information and technical guidance

The Scottish Government provides detailed information about hydrogen strategy and funding programs through its renewable energy policy pages. These resources cover current infrastructure development, available grants, and strategic priorities for hydrogen deployment across Scotland.

For businesses exploring renewable energy options for temporary power, the Carbon Trust offers practical guidance on technology selection, cost analysis, and emissions quantification. Their resources help businesses compare different renewable energy systems and calculate potential emissions reductions.

The DP World Tour’s sustainability pages provide case studies from multiple tournaments that have deployed hydrogen and solar power. These examples offer practical insights into deployment challenges, power requirements, and operational considerations across different event types and locations.

If you need support with carbon reporting, emissions reduction planning, or sustainability requirements for tenders and supply chains, our compliance team can help you navigate regulatory requirements and develop practical strategies that work for your specific operations and sector.