(BELFAST)
An international airport is reaping the financial benefits of switching to solar energy.
Over the past 10 months Belfast International has saved £100,000 from buying power from the Crookedstone site.
Installed and operated by Lightsource Renewable Energy, it is the biggest connection between a solar plant and an airport anywhere in the UK and Ireland.
Belfast International Airport Operations Director, Alan Whiteside, said: “The solar farm project has exceeded all expectations. From switch-on in March to the end of the year, the ‘ballpark’ savings were over £100,000. The project has won critical acclaim, and a few prestigious awards, namely the Sustainable Ireland award won by Lightsource and the Airport Operators Association ‘Best Environmental Initiative” award. The project is consistently delivering a reliable ‘green’ and cost-saving energy supply for the airport. No other airport in either the rest of the UK or Ireland has a similar energy source and we’re delighted with its operation.”
The environment is the other big winner in this deal with 2,100 tonnes of emissions cuts equivalent to removing 469 cars.
Nick Boyle, CEO of Lightsource, added: “We are really thrilled that Belfast International Airport are being rewarded for the vision that they showed in switching to solar energy with Lightsource. We worked hand in hand with the team at Belfast to deliver a project which would meet their needs. Not only has this project significantly reduced their emissions, it has significantly improved their bottom line. That’s the benefit that a Lightsource Private Wire agreement can deliver for a business.”
