Stansted powers up first-of-its-kind solar farm

London Stansted’s new on-site solar farm is now fully operational, marking a major milestone on the airport’s net zero journey.

The solar farm – the first of its kind at a London airport – features more than 24,000 panels. It has been constructed and will be operated by Onsite Power, EDF power solutions’ C&I solar division, on land already owned by Stansted immediately to the east of the airport.

The panels can produce up to 17.2 MW of direct current (DC) power. Once converted, the solar farm can produce up to 12.8 MW of usable alternating current (AC) power which is supplied directly into the airport’s network. This enables the solar farm, on the sunniest day, to produce power equivalent to the airport’s peak demand.

Over a year, the solar farm will generate enough electricity to meet the annual demand of 7,000 houses, similar in number to the town of Saffron Walden.

How the new solar farm will provide a more sustainable future whilst supporting biodiversity

The development is an integral part of London Stansted’s £1.1 billion transformation programme and has been designed to help meet the airport’s current and increasing electricity demands, including those associated with the growing use of electric vehicles. The project will also support London Stansted’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions from its direct airport operations by no later than 2038.

Gareth Powell, Managing Director of London Stansted, said: “This is a significant milestone for London Stansted and a tangible demonstration of our commitment to a more sustainable future.

“The solar farm will generate enough electricity to meet the equivalent demand of around 7,000 homes – a similar number of households to the town of Saffron Walden.”

The solar farm has been developed with biodiversity and the surrounding landscape in mind. As part of the project, the site will see a 160% biodiversity net gain, including a 19-hectare wildflower meadow, more than 50 new Willow and Field Maple trees, hedgerow reinstatement and 750 metres of new hedgerows.

Additional screening measures have also been implemented, helping to integrate the solar farm into the surrounding landscape while creating new habitats for wildlife.

Generating renewable energy on-site to improve energy resilience and reduce carbon emissions

Malavika Bambawale, CEO of Onsite Power, EDF power solutions’ C&I solar division, said: “This project demonstrates how airports and the wider commercial and industrial sector can use on site renewable energy to improve energy resilience, reduce costs and decarbonise energy consumption.

“Its success has been driven by the strong collaboration and shared ambition of teams at London Stansted and EDF power solutions. We are delighted to see the solar farm now fully operational, generating and supplying local clean electricity directly to the airport.”

Photo: MAG

The solar farm is part of London Stansted’s wider programme of investment and transformation, helping to ensure the airport is equipped to meet the needs of its passengers and airlines while progressing its long-term environmental ambitions.

Gareth said: “The renewable electricity generated will help us meet the growing energy demands of the airport, including as we see greater use of electric vehicles, while supporting our commitment to make our direct operations net zero carbon by no later than 2038.

“We have a proud track record of sustainable development. We were awarded Level 3+ carbon neutral status in 2018 in recognition of our extensive work to reduce and offset carbon emissions and we have sourced all our electricity from renewable sources for more than a decade. This solar farm builds on that long-standing commitment, allowing us to generate renewable energy on our own estate and helping to reduce the carbon impact of our airport operations. We’re also pleased that the project is expected to deliver biodiversity benefits, demonstrating that renewable energy generation and environmental enhancement can go hand in hand.”