The project will consist of 3,696 solar panels and five inverters and reach commercial operation in two phases: the first by “summer” this year, and the second by August 2027.
April 24, 2026
Commercial and industrial (C&I) renewable energy developer Greenvolt Next will build a 1.7MW solar carport at Cork Airport, in the Republic of Ireland, which will be the largest such solar carport in the country.
The project will consist of 3,696 solar panels and five inverters and reach commercial operation in two phases: the first by “summer” this year, and the second by August 2027. Greenvolt Next will design, construct and commission the project, which it expects to meet one-fifth of the airport’s electricity demand.
“This new solar carport will strengthen Cork Airport’s sustainability credentials and forms a key part of the airport’s overall sustainability strategy,” said Darragh O’Brien, minister for transport and minister for climate, environment and energy, who spoke at an event at Cork Airport to commemorate the signing of the contracts for the project.
O’Brien added that the project will receive €2 million in government funding under the Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme, which was launched in February this year and will provide almost €45 million in capital investment for “connectivity” and “regional development” at Irish airports between now and 2030. The government plans to invest €9 million this year alone.
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Developers have been increasing keen to install solar projects at airports along the British Isles; last year, London Stansted Airport selected EDF Renewables to build and operate a new 14.3MW solar project on its premises. Previous years saw an increasing number of airports on the British Isles rely on solar projects to meet a significant portion of their power demand, including Farnborough Airport and London Southend Airport.
Gino Gautier, global CEO of distributed generation at IPP Greenvolt Group, which Next is part of, said that the company’s work at the Cork Airport would enable the airport “to be more resourceful, have more control, and use more reliable infrastructure.”
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JP Casey
Section Editor, Informa
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