London Stansted Airport – part of Manchester Airports Group (a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub) – is enhancing sustainability with the construction of a 14.3MW solar farm. It is being constructed and operated by SAS Energy on land already owned by Stansted immediately to the east of the airport. In total, 24,000 panels will have been installed on completion of the project.
The development, an integral part of the London Stansted’s £1.1 billion transformation programme, is designed to meet the airport’s current and increasing electricity demands, including from the growing use of electric vehicles, and will support its commitment to make operations net zero carbon by no later than 2038.
“It’s very exciting to see the solar farm really taking shape and this great progress means we are on track to complete the installation phase in early 2026 before it becomes operational later in the spring,” said Gareth Powell, Managing Director, London Stansted. “Our partnership with EDF Renewables UK to deliver this ground-breaking project is another demonstration to our commitment to develop and grow London Stansted in the most responsible and sustainable way possible. Our ongoing transformation programme isn’t just focused on investing in new passenger services and extending the terminal building, it’s also about developing other innovative schemes such as the solar farm that will help us reduce and mitigate the impacts of growth. We have a proud track record of sustainable development having been awarded Level 3+ carbon neutral status in 2018 in recognition of our extensive work to reduce and offset carbon emissions and have sourced all our electricity from renewable sources for over a decade. The addition of the solar farm will enable us to build on our achievements, generate our own renewable electricity onsite and drive forward our pledge to make our operations net zero carbon by 2038.”
The output of the farm at its peak, on the sunniest days of the year, will provide the equivalent energy consumed by around 6,000 homes. The project will also include the enhancement of biodiversity onsite and the implementation of additional screening measures, such as the planting of over 50 new Willow and Field Maple trees, hedgerow reinstatement and 750 metres of new hedgerows, plus a 19-hectare wildflower meadow.
“It is great to reach this significant milestone in the development of London Stansted’s solar farm, marking a clear step forward in bringing this important project to life,” said Malavika Bambawale, Chief Executive Officer, SAS Energy. “The project is a brilliant showcase for how renewable energy can support major national infrastructure, with London Stansted setting an excellent example of how organisations can advance towards net zero. Once complete, the solar farm will help reduce carbon emissions while providing long-term resilience against volatile energy costs. We are excited to see London Stansted powered by clean, green energy generated on site, and we are proud to be working together to achieve this.”
