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Bright future for Shannon Airport as planning permission is granted for solar farm

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Clare County Council has granted planning permission for a 1.2mW PV solar farm development located within the airfield of Shannon Airport. Photo: Stephen O’Malley

Clare County Council has approved Shannon Airport’s planning request to build a solar farm within its airfield, making it Ireland’s first airport to do so

Clare County Council has approved Shannon Airport's planning request to build a solar farm within its airfield, making it Ireland's first airport to do so
As part of the group’s sustainability plan, they hope to bring forward a renewable energy plan that would supply at least 10% of the airport’s energy demands.

Clare County Council has granted planning permission made by Shannon Airport Group DAC for a 1.2mW PV solar farm development located within the airfield.

With an area of more than 2 hectares, made up of linear arrangements of solar photovoltaic panels, the farm would provide 15-20% of Shannon Airport’s current electrical demand. The planning application sought the panels on ground-mounted frames, with associated cabling and ducting, a modular substation, inverters, a new internal site access road and all associated development works.

In Shannon Airport Group’s 2022-2024 Sustainability Strategy, they outline, “We are currently developing a detailed multi-annual plan of carbon reduction measures which will include significant building upgrades, the generation of on-site renewable energy and the transition of our vehicles and equipment to low carbon alternatives. This plan will ensure we achieve our targets to reduce carbon emissions by 51% by 2030 and reach Net Zero by 2050 at the latest.”


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As part of this plan the group hopes to bring forward a renewable energy plan that would supply at least 10% of the airport’s energy demands.

In 2023 Shannon Airport reached new heights in their journey to sustainability, as the group was awarded Carbon Accreditation level 2 by the globally recognised Airport Council International (ACI).

The accreditation acknowledges the commitment set out in The Shannon Airport Group’s Sustainability Strategy to green its operations and reduce the airport’s carbon footprint.

Steps taken by Shannon Airport to achieve Level 2 – Reduction accreditation involved demonstrating a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over a three-year period through energy saving projects such as active energy monitoring and management and an airport wide upgrade to more efficient LED lighting.  

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