London Stansted has received planning permission from the Secretary of State to develop its airport solar farm.
The 14.3MW solar farm will help meet the airport’s electricity demand, which is increasing due to the growing use of electric vehicles.
Its construction supports the airport’s commitment to making its operations net zero carbon by 2038.
Steve Griffiths, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said:London Stansted has a long and proud track record of sustainable development, including achieving independently-verified carbon neutral status in 2016 for the airport operations under our direct control. The solar farm will enable us to build on this achievement in line with our commitment to make our operations net zero carbon by no later than 2038.
The development will see the airport generating its own renewable electricity on-site, connecting directly to our own private network, increasing the security of energy supply while at the same time freeing up renewable energy we currently purchase for others to use elsewhere on the grid.
The development will be built Stansted Airport’s land at High House Farm.
To reinforce security, additional screening measures will be implemented around the site, including new trees and hedgerows.
