Shannon Airport is in the process of applying for permission to build a 1.2 megawatt solar farm on a 5.5 acre land within the airport grounds. This proposal is one of five submitted by Shannon Airport Authority DAC to Clare County Council, part of their preparations for an increase in passenger footfall, expected to reach over two million by 2024.
Plans are also underway to add an extra 1,051 parking slots to accommodate the growing visitor count. An expansion of departure gates at the airport’s terminal is included in the project to cope with the expected increase in passenger numbers.
A report from Tobin Consulting Engineers, which was commissioned by the airport authority, states that a solar farm could offer Shannon Airport a reliable energy source, lower overall expenses and promote eco-friendliness. Seán Greene, a project planner at Tobin, penned that by using renewable energy, the airport can ensure a consistent power supply while decreasing its dependence on conventional fossil fuels.
The solar farm is envisioned to be situated adjacent to the airport’s taxiway 12. The report by Tobin identifies an area nearby the intended solar farm location for potential future expansion of the solar operation. This area is several times the size of the 5.5 acres which is currently being applied for.
Mr Greene emphasised to the council that the proposed solar farm “is a substantial move towards reaching Shannon Airport Authority DAC’s plan to be more sustainable”. Utilising renewable energy such as solar power will show the airport’s dedication to the environment while benefitting from the generation of clean energy, he added.
In 2023, the Shannon Group saw a 60% increase in its pretax profits, reaching €31 million while its consolidated incomes increased to €67.8 million. By the close of 2023, the group’s cash reserves amounted to €77.4 million.
A spokesperson for Shannon Group noted that capital expenses for these proposed projects would come from their own funds when asked about the overall spending for all the applications, however, she declined to disclose a specific figure. She cited that the group cannot provide cost estimates before the public procurement and planning procedure is finalised.
The intention behind the additional 1,051 car spaces is to reconfigure current spaces to create new parking spots and reorganise the existing ones in order to improve passenger experience at Shannon Airport, she continued.
“She indicated that the airport is hopeful to delegate these undertakings around July or August 2024, with an aim to finish by the second quarter of 2025.”