Cork and Shannon Airports to benefit from €4.2m in sustainability funding

Funding will contribute towards capital investment in solar PV farms at both airports

Cork Airport will received just under €2.3m, while Shannon will receive over €1.9m. 

Cork and Shannon Airports are set to receive a combined €4.2m in Government support to go towards sustainability and carbon-reduction targets, it has been announced.

In total, Cork Airport will received just under €2.3m, while Shannon will receive over €1.9m. The funding is being allocated under the new Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme.

The announcement was made by junior minister at the Department of Transport James Lawless, who said the funding would contribute towards capital investment in solar PV farms at both Shannon and Cork airports.

These projects, the first of their kind to be funded at our regional airports, when complete, will provide up to 25% of these airports’ current electrical demand from renewable energy.

“The arrays will also enable future expansion, allowing airports to decrease reliance on energy from the national grid over time by increasing capacity for on-site generation.” 

In addition to the solar farms, the water system upgrade is being supported at Shannon Airport, and diesel-powered ground power units at Cork Airport will be replaced with electric models.

“This level of targeted support is an indication of the importance Government attaches to both Shannon and Cork Regional State airports being well-positioned to meet their carbon-reduction emissions targets as they move towards net zero,” Mr Lawless said.