NATS switches on Swanwick solar project to power UK air traffic control centre

NATS has completed its largest renewable energy project, with a new ground-mounted solar array now fully operational at its Swanwick air traffic control centre in Hampshire.

The installation went live on 12 June and includes 5,760 solar panels on leased land next to the NATS Operations Centre at Swanwick, beside the River Hamble.

Together with the site’s existing rooftop solar installation of 2,606 panels, the combined system is expected to generate around 3.3 million kWh of renewable electricity each year.

That is enough to supply almost a fifth of the centre’s annual electricity demand and is equivalent to the electricity required to power around 1,200 average UK homes.

The solar project follows NATS’ investment in a major rooftop solar installation at Prestwick Air Traffic Control Centre.

Renewable energy for UK air traffic control

Swanwick is one of the UK’s two main air traffic control centres and plays a central role in managing some of the busiest and most complex airspace in Europe.

The centre covers 200,000 square miles over England and Wales, including the skies above London, making it a key part of the UK’s aviation and transport infrastructure.

NATS said the new solar installation will help power the site more sustainably while reducing its reliance on grid electricity and exposure to volatile energy markets.

The benefits were evident soon after the project went live. In the first two weeks of operation, the combined solar installation generated 195,066 kWh of renewable electricity, avoided around 40,000kg of carbon emissions and delivered significant energy cost savings.

Tim Bullock, Director of Supply Chain, Property and Facilities Management at NATS, said the project was about “much more than installing solar panels”.

He said: “It’s about changing the way we power one of the UK’s most important pieces of transport infrastructure.

“With volatile energy markets, investing in self-generation reduces both cost risk and reliance on fossil fuels. The new Swanwick ground array will generate millions of kilowatt hours of renewable electricity each year, reducing our dependence on grid electricity while supporting our carbon negative ambition.”

NATS targets net zero by 2035

The Swanwick solar project supports NATS’ commitment to becoming a net zero emissions company by 2035 and carbon negative by 2040.

Ian Jopson, Sustainability Director at NATS, said the investment demonstrated how critical national infrastructure could contribute to the UK’s transition to cleaner energy.

He said: “We’re proud that this investment is being made here in Hampshire, supporting our journey towards net zero while demonstrating that critical national infrastructure can play its part in the UK’s transition to cleaner energy.

“This project is another important milestone in reducing our carbon emissions while building a more resilient and sustainable energy future for NATS.”

NATS is the UK’s principal air navigation services provider. Its en-route business manages aircraft within UK airspace and over the eastern part of the North Atlantic, while its services business provides air traffic control at major civil and military airfields in the UK and overseas.

The organisation handled 2.5 million flights in the UK during the 2025/26 financial year.