By james art The government’s new aviation secretary, Mike Kane, visited Birmingham Airport’s new 6.8 megawatt solar farm, made up of 12,000 panels, responsible for providing at least 20% of the airport’s electricity needs.
Birmingham Airport has committed to beating the government’s deadline and becoming net zero by 2033. An ambitious target that the multi-million pound sustainable investment will contribute to by making it less dependent on the grid.
Evo Energy is working closely with the airport on the design and build plans, with work starting on the solar panel site last year at a cost of £9.7m.
If the installation is in full use today, these panels will, at peak time, supply 6.8 MW of energy back to the airport and are expected to save 1,285 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Minister Kane was able to see the expanse of the solar panel site while on a tour of the airport. He also found time to visit the airport’s air traffic control tower, where he met Peña Mason, the first civilian air traffic control apprentice.
Pena has been on an incredible journey as a student in a partnership between Global ATS and Gloucester College, who co-designed the airport course in which Pena excelled and which will see her earn her ATCO license and Level Five Diploma.
Nick Barton, Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport, commenting on the visit, said: “We are delighted to be the first airport the Aviation Secretary has visited since his appointment.
“He has seen first-hand the significant investment we are making at the airport and the progress we are making in sustainability and skills development.
“Our solar panels will ensure that at certain times of the year, during sunnier and warmer days, we won’t rely on incoming energy sources, which is key to our net-zero target.”
Mike Kane, Minister for Aviation, Maritime Affairs and Security, said: “It is fantastic to see Birmingham Airport embracing our 2033 net zero mission.
“Their new solar farm, built with millions of pounds of investment, will produce almost a quarter of the electricity needed at the airport in the coming years.
“It is this kind of innovation and drive that will help the UK become a clean energy superpower and we will continue to support the industry to achieve this goal.”