Dublin Airport operator daa has lodged plans for a new solar farm that is expected to double the airport’s solar energy production and will see around 30% of the airport’s electricity needs generated through onsite solar farms before 2030.
The new planning application just lodged with Fingal County Council for the north Co Dublin town lands of Cloghran and Nevinstown East follows daa opening its first 15,000 solar panel solar farm on a 28-acre site located close to the south runway in 2024.
The new solar farm includes the installation of around 23,000 solar panels on a 48-acre site located to the east of the airport campus on a site that lies adjacent to the M1 motorway.
Once operational, the 14MWp farm is expected to generate around 13GWh per annum, dependent on weather conditions, which is around 17% of Dublin Airport’s annual consumption.
“This will more than double the airport’s current renewable solar energy output from 12% in 2025 to close to 30% by mid-2028, significantly ahead of its current target of 20% by 2030. This is sufficient electricity to fully power Terminal 2 in addition to all airfield lighting,” the daa said today.
Today’s announcement of Phase 2 will see the airport campus further reduce its impact on the national electricity grid as part of a wider pipeline of renewable energy projects.
Phase 2 also includes a battery energy storage system (BESS) plant, which will allow for excess solar generation, reduced grid reliance, provide resilience and enable future revenue streams.
Welcoming the development, Minister for Transport, Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien, said: “It is very encouraging to see daa continue to explore and invest in renewable energy solutions. I was delighted to officially open the airport’s first solar farm last year and to see it generate 12% of their electricity needs in 2025”
“Subject to planning permission, Phase 2 will catapult the contribution of renewable solar energy to 30% by mid-2028, helping Dublin Airport meet its commitment to reduce its emissions by 51% by 2030,” he added.
daa Group Director of Sustainability, Andrea Carroll said: “Aviation is one of the hardest industries to decarbonise and all parts of the sector must play their part. Daa has a very ambitious programme of decarbonisation, with generating and using renewable energy a key pillar of our plan to reduce emissions in line with commitments under the National Climate Action Plan”.
“Dublin Airport was officially recognised last month as a Level 4+ airport in the internationally recognised Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, placing it among the top 13% of airports globally for carbon management. This marks a significant step forward in daa’s sustainability journey, with Phase 2 of the solar farm further evidence of our determination,” Ms Carroll said.
Daa’s chief commercial and development officer, Vincent Harrison said: “This significant expansion of our solar energy infrastructure is a win-win for the airport. It increases the sustainability of our terminals and airfield operations, while also reducing our reliance on the national electricity grid”.
“Continuing to invest in modernising Dublin Airport and making our operations as energy efficient as possible is a key part of our €2 billion Infrastructure Application to set Dublin Airport up for the future,” he added.
A decision is due on the application by the Council in August.
Reporting by Gordon Deegan
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