Landmark 17MW project will power one-fifth of Cork Airport’s energy needs.
Cork Airport has revealed plans to deliver Ireland’s largest solar-powered carport.
This marks a key milestone in the airport’s long-term sustainability and infrastructure programme and forms part of DAA Group’s broader €200m capital investment in the airport.
The project will be delivered in partnership with renewable energy firm Greenvolt Next. It will see a large-scale solar canopy constructed over the existing Holiday Blue car park.
Fitted with thousands of photovoltaic panels the structure will generate clean energy on-site, while also providing covered parking for passengers.
Once completed in late summer 2027, it is envisaged that the 3,696 solar panels and five inverters will generate 1.5 GWh of renewable energy each year for the airport.
Enlightened decision
“We understand the need for more sustainable operations at airports, which is why Cork Airport is investing in Ireland’s largest solar carport today,” said Niall MacCarthy, managing director of Cork Airport.
“We will meet our 2030 energy reduction targets and we are proud to confirm that.”
As well as delivering renewable energy and lowering CO₂ emissions at the airport by 355,056 KG based on Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) data, the carport will reduce annual electricity costs and boost operational efficiency by enabling on-site energy generation.
“This new solar carport will strengthen Cork Airport’s sustainability credentials and forms a key part of the airport’s overall sustainability strategy,” Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien, TD, said.
“The solar carport will generate up to 20% of the airport’s electricity needs into the future.”
In 2025, Cork Airport experienced its busiest year ever for passenger traffic, with a total of 3.46 million passengers.
“Our aim is to make renewable energy easy, and this solar carport does exactly that by enabling Cork Airport to be more resourceful, have more control, and use more reliable infrastructure,” Owen Power, CEO, Greenvolt Next Ireland, added.
“It will also deliver tangible benefits from both a financial and environmental perspective. We look forward to working with Cork Airport to both creating the largest solar carport in Ireland and future-proofing the aviation sector.”
Top image: Minister of State at Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director, Cork Airport, Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, Seamus McGrath TD and John Carty, Chief Commercial Officer, Greenvolt Next. Minister of State at Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD
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