London Stansted is planning to meet its carbon reduction goals by constructing a new solar farm. The 14 megawatt solar farm will help shore-up its energy supply and achieve its hopes for net-zero by 2038. The farm will be screened from view by hedgerows and other greenery. The land to be used is owned by MAG (Manchester Airports Group), who own the airport. The site is located east of the airport at High House Farm, Takeley.
A spokesperson for Stansted Airport said: “The solar farm is in keeping with the airport’s commitment to make its operations net-zero carbon by no later than 2038. “The project would make our energy supply more secure, as well as freeing up renewable generation elsewhere on the grid to help the rest of the country decarbonise faster.”
An online consultation was undertaken by Stansted during November and December 2021, before plans were submitted. Supply and energy costs will be less of an issue, as the scheme will connect to the airport’s private electrical network. The project was announced by Managing director Steve Griffiths, who told members of the Stansted Airport Consultative Committee about the scheme at the watchdog’s latest meeting.
Andrew Huggins, East Herts district councillor, Conservative member for Cottered and the Mundens and a Ryanair captain, welcomed the development. Although he said it would have been preferable to use existing infrastructure like car parks as opposed to agricultural land for the solar panels. According to MAG’s head of planning, this would not be a feasible option for aviation safety factors. All options were looked into, but there would be issues such as solar glare from the panels.
Local residents have been informed of the proposals by letter, and also about Stansted’s net zero targets. If the airport is successful in its carbon reduction efforts it will have achieved them 12 years ahead of the government’s national target. It says: “The project will support the sustainable development of Stansted and that includes capacity to expand and meet future energy needs, for example from even more widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
“We are proposing to locate the solar farm in an area of land that has the least possible visual impact on neighbours. “Please be assured that in the event the scheme is successful, we will also implement additional screening measures such as trees, hedgerow reinstatement and new hedgerows to further reduce the impact of the scheme on neighbours.”
An airport spokesman said: “London Stansted has a long and proud track record of sustainable development, including achieving independently verified carbon neutral status in 2016 for the airport’s operations under our direct control. “We want to go further and support as much of the airport’s energy needs as possible on-site from a secure, renewable facility. We are therefore in discussion with Uttlesford District Council planning officers about a future planning application for an on-airport solar farm. This is intended to make sure we have completed all of the analysis and assessments they would expect to see before we submit any application. “We are planning to submit an application later this year and will publish full details of the project when they are available.”
