Shannon Airport is set to become home to Ireland’s first solar farm within an airfield, with a 1.2MW photovoltaic solar farm being installed on a 5.5-acre site.
The solar farm is expected to provide up to 15-20% of the airport’s current electrical demand from renewable energy.
No objections were lodged against the proposal, and planning permission was granted by Clare County Council based on the project’s positive impact on visual amenities, residential amenities, ecology, traffic safety, and aircraft safety.
The project is part of Shannon Airport Group’s sustainability strategy, aiming to reach climate targets of a 51% greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
Shannon Airport Group COO, Ray O’Driscoll said: “The strategic location of the solar farm within the airfield itself will allow the airport to decrease its reliance on energy from the national grid, decrease its use of fossil-fuels and increase its capacity for on-site renewable electricity generation. As we work towards our commitment of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, further use of renewable energy will be essential, and we remain committed to investing in smart and innovative infrastructure to ensure we can meet our energy efficiency targets.”
