Largest UK airport PPA solar project

Lightsource Renewable Energy has signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Belfast International Airport for the largest solar project to connect to a UK airport. Lightsource will hardwire a 4.84MWp off-site solar farm into the Belfast International Airport private network – providing 27 per cent of the airport’s annual electricity demand.

The entire project is being funded, installed and operated by Lightsource. Belfast International Airport will buy the clean electricity produced by the solar farm via a private wire, which connects the installation directly to the user without connecting to the national grid.

By hard-wiring the solar farm directly into the airport, Lightsource will provide the airport with a source of renewable electricity, reduced energy costs and give a boost to their green credentials – with a saving of 2345 tonnes of carbon emission each year.

Nick Boyle, CEO at Lightsource, said: “There remains huge opportunity for solar energy around the UK and Ireland. Large-scale PPA solar projects provide businesses with an opportunity to do just that by allowing them to fix their energy costs without the need for upfront investment.”