Stansted pioneers green energy supply with first solar farm at a London airport

Stansted Airport has appointed EDF Renewables UK to construct and operate its own solar farm.

The 14.3MW facility, the first at a London airport, will cover land owned by MAG (Manchester Airports Group) at High House Farm to the east.

The farm – work on which is due to begin early this year – is designed to meet Stansted’s rising electricity demands, including the growing use of electric vehicles.

At its peak, on the sunniest days of the year, the farm will provide enough energy to power the equivalent of 6,000 homes in a town the size of Saffron Walden.

The project will also enhance biodiversity, with 50 new willow and field maple trees, hedgerow reinstatement and 750 metres (2,460ft) of new hedgerows plus a 19-hectare (47-acre) wildflower meadow.

Mike Hardaker, Stansted’s chief asset and development officer, said: “London Stansted has a long and proud track record of sustainable development and a commitment to deliver the airport’s growth in the most responsible way possible.

“The airport was awarded Level 3+ carbon neutral status in 2018 in recognition of our extensive work to reduce and offset carbon emissions, and the… solar farm will enable us to build on our achievements and drive forward our pledge to make our operations net zero carbon by 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.”

Deanna Greenhalgh, director of development at SAS Energy, EDF Renewables UK’s commercial and industrial solar division, said: “The project will contribute towards the decarbonisation of the airport, reducing its energy costs in an uncertain energy environment, and will lead the way in showing how important transport hubs such as London Stansted can progress towards net zero targets.”