England’s Newcastle Airport Wants 16 MW Solar Power

• Newcastle International Airport is seeking public consultation on its plans to have a 16 MW solar farm at the airport
• It is expected to generate and suffice to meet 100% of the airport's electricity requirement
• Project is expected to also have battery energy storage system and will be built on agricultural land

The Newcastle International Airport in England plans to install a solar power plant with up to 16 MW capacity on the eastern end of the runway in a bid to meet 100% of its requirements through sustainable means. The plan is also to have battery energy storage capacity to store excess power generated.

Currently, it is exploring complementary agricultural uses for the site alongside the solar farm as it will be built on agricultural land.

It expects to realize the project in 4 phases, between 2022 and 2035 to support the electricity requirements between now and the future. Solar panels will be arranged across the site in a grid pattern, surrounded by trees to screen the view. At the end of its life, the project will be decommissioned and all equipment removed.

The airport authorities see this project as supporting the UK government's policy to achieve net zero by 2050 and also the City of Newcastle's net zero aim for 2030.

Released on August 3, 2021, feedback on proposals from local communities and stakeholders for the proposed solar farm will be accepted till September 10, 2021, post which the airport authorities will submit a planning application to the Newcastle City Council. Details of the same can be accessed on the airport's website.  

This plant is part of the Newcastle International Airport's roadmap to become a net zero emissions business by 2035. It has also secured funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (EDRF) to support phase I of the project.