- The solar farm project will deliver enough green electricity to power over 17,000 homes.
- Teesside also plans to install a new ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hub powered by the solar array.
Teesside Airport and SSE Energy Solutions have closed a partnership to install a solar farm at the airport. The construction of the first phase of the project will commence early next year. About 3 megawatts (MW) of solar generation will be installed to meet airport and local demand.
This solar power project at Teesside International Airport could deliver enough green electricity to power more than 17,000 homes. Subsequent phases of this project could ultimately deliver 50MW of capacity over the coming years. capable of displacing over 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the electricity supply network each year.
Commenting on the project, Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, stated that the landmark agreement could potentially deliver one of the major solar projects in the United Kingdom. He added that this project will make the airport the first in the country to be carbon neutral and consequently deliver the company’s drive to make the airport net zero.
“Our work with SSE Energy Solutions again proves how we can attract the biggest and best companies to our region to work on innovative schemes, which provide well-paid, highly skilled jobs and serious investment while also delivering a greener future.”
Managing director of SSE Energy Solutions, Neil Kirkby, said, “This fantastic project aligns perfectly with SSE Energy Solutions’ strategy to help local authorities transition to a net zero carbon future while creating great opportunities for local people. To achieve this, we are building a strong presence within Teesside by creating a regional ‘hub’, the like of which we’re also establishing in many other regions across the UK.”
In 2022, Teesside Airport announced plans to make its operations net zero by the end of the decade by decarbonising its buildings and infrastructure and developing sustainable aviation fuel production in the region. The firm also plans to install a new ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hub powered by the solar array. This plan aligns with the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority’s ambition to increase the number of public EV charging points in Tees Valley by 200 per cent by 2025.