London Stansted notches solar power milestone

It completed the successful installation of the 1,500th solar panel.

The 14.3MW solar farm, the first of its kind at a London airport, is being constructed and operated by SAS Energy, EDF power solution’s C&I solar division.

It is sited on land already owned by Stansted to the east of the airport.

In total, 24,000 panels will be installed on completion of the project.

The development is an integral part of the London Stansted’s £1.1bn transformation programme.

It is designed to meet the airport’s current and increasing electricity demands, including from the growing use of electric vehicles.

It will support the airport’s commitment to make operations net zero carbon by no later than 2038.

The output of the farm at its peak, on the sunniest days of the year, will provide the equivalent energy consumed by around 6,000 homes.

The project will also include the enhancement of biodiversity on site.

This includes the planting of over 50 new willow and field maple trees, hedgerow reinstatement and 750 metres of new hedgerows.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said “It’s very exciting to see the solar farm really taking shape and this great progress means we are on track to complete the installation phase in early 2026.”

“The addition of the solar farm will enable us to build on our achievements and generate our own renewable electricity on-site to make our operations net zero carbon by 2038.”