Newcastle Airport has recently begun construction of a solar farm which, when completed, will meet the power demands of the entire airport terminal.

The solar farm and associated infrastructure will be built in four phases, between 2022 and 2035, to support the Airport now and in the future.

The first phase will provide 3MW of power and the completed solar farm will provide 16MW of power.

The site for the scheme is situated to the south of the eastern end of the Airport runway, adjacent to the Main Road, Dinnington/Brunton Lane and Coach Lane junction, with solar panels arranged across the site in a grid pattern. Battery storage units will be located on the site to capture unused energy generated during daylight hours, allowing energy to be stored and used during evening or at times when there is less sunlight.

The scheme will include areas of tree planting to screen the view of the solar farm from the surrounding roads and public rights of way. Larger areas of woodland planting adjacent to the site are also proposed, as part of a separate, parallel project.

The solar farm will support the Airport’s Net Zero 2035 strategy and will contribute to the City of Newcastle’s Carbon Net Zero aspirations and the UK Government’s plans to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Newcastle International Airport is just one of hundreds of North East organisations helping the North East reach its net zero targets and make a difference on a global scale.