{"id":396172,"date":"2026-04-13T12:05:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T12:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/396172\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T12:05:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T12:05:13","slug":"cork-airport-to-deliver-irelands-largest-solar-powered-carport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/396172\/","title":{"rendered":"Cork Airport to Deliver Ireland\u2019s Largest Solar-Powered \u2018Carport\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c0rk-696x464.jpg\"   alt=\"\" title=\"c0rk\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Cork Airport has announced that it will deliver Ireland\u2019s largest solar-powered carport, in conjunction with Greenvolt Next. <\/p>\n<p>A solar carport is a dual-purpose structure, where a canopy is constructed and fitted with a roof of photovoltaic (PV) panels. The solar carport will provide shelter for parked cars in the Holiday Blue car park while also generating up to 20% of the airport\u2019s electricity needs into the future.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"787\" data-id=\"185590\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Cork-2-1180x787.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-185590\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>The landmark project, which is expected to be completed in August 2027, has been grant supported by the Department of Transport and Department of Climate, Environment and Energy. Minister Darragh O\u2019Brien TD and Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer TD attended the contract signing by Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director, Cork Airport and John Carty, Chief Commercial Officer, Greenvolt Next.<\/p>\n<p>The 1.7 MW carport, which is being constructed over the existing Holiday Blue car park, shall be rolled out in two phases \u2013 the first of which will start in early summer, with the second stage to commence in October. Once completed in late summer 2027, it is envisaged that the 3,696 solar panels and 5 inverters will generate 1.5 GWh of renewable energy each year for the airport.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Cork-Airport-2-1180x664.webp.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-118681\"  \/><\/p>\n<p>As well as delivering renewable energy and lowering CO\u2082\u00a0emissions 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.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, Cork Airport experienced its busiest year ever for passenger traffic, with a total of\u00a03.46 million passengers. It was also named as Europe\u2019s Best Regional Airport by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, acknowledging its efforts in promoting inbound tourism, adding new routes and its commitment to sustainable business. Cork Airport was also named as the \u201cBest Performing Commercial Semi-State\u201d for energy reduction by SEAI for two years running (2021, 2022).<\/p>\n<p>This new solar carport will further strengthen Cork Airport\u2019s sustainability credentials and forms a key part of the airport\u2019s overall sustainability strategy.<\/p>\n<p>The works on the construction of the new solar carport will be swiftly followed by an extension to the existing Holiday Blue Car Park, with 669 more long-term car parking spaces. Of those new spaces, 32 will be dedicated spaces for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM). The car park extension will also include new internal roadways, more trolley bays, attenuation and drainage work, along with tasteful landscaping works with a focus on native Irish plant species.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking at Cork Airport, Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O\u2019Brien TD\u00a0said:\u00a0\u201cThe project was supported with over \u20ac2 million in Exchequer funding under the Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme. This programme was developed in 2024 to support regional state airports to reach their carbon emission reduction targets and build resilience against climate change.\u00a0Cork Airport was named as the \u201cBest Performing Commercial Semi-State\u201d for energy reduction by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for two years running (2021, 2022). This new solar carport will strengthen Cork Airport\u2019s sustainability credentials and forms a key part of the airport\u2019s overall sustainability strategy. The solar carport will generate up to 20% of the airport\u2019s electricity needs into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD,\u00a0added:\u00a0\u201cGovernment recognises the important role regional airports play in their areas and in regional development. Cork Airport recorded its busiest year on record in 2025 with 3.46 million passengers choosing to use the airport which plays an important role in connecting the region to global markets, attracting investment and boosting inbound tourism. This targeted support is an indication of the importance Government attaches to regional State airports developing sustainable energy practices.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Niall MacCarthy Managing Director, Cork Airport,\u00a0said:\u00a0\u201cWe understand the need for more sustainable operations at airports, which is why Cork Airport is investing in Ireland\u2019s largest solar carport today. We acknowledge the support of daa Group, the Department of Transport and the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy for making this exciting project happen. We will meet our 2030 energy reduction targets, and we are proud to confirm that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Owen Power, CEO, Greenvolt Next Ireland,\u00a0added:\u00a0\u201cOur 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. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Cork Airport has announced that it will deliver Ireland\u2019s largest solar-powered carport, in conjunction with Greenvolt Next. 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