Irish airport operator DAA, in partnership with the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), has installed 268 solar panels on top of Dublin Airport’s reservoir system, which will provide more than half of the water facility’s annual energy requirements.
The solar panels are connected directly to the reservoir system which provides 500 million liters of water – the equivalent of 200 Olympic sized swimming pools – to both passenger terminals, as well as servicing all the offices and businesses on the airport campus.
The solar farm is part of an energy agreement between DAA and ESB to achieve an overall target of 33% reduction energy consumption at the airport by 2020.
Dalton Philips, chief executive, DAA, said, “We are committed to working in partnership with ESB to reduce our energy consumption by 33% by 2020. We want to be leaders in this area and help Ireland meet its national obligations in the process.
“Over the past three years Dublin Airport succeeded in reducing its carbon footprint by 5,000 tons, which is equivalent to a 10% reduction in carbon emissions under its control. We are looking forward to building on this performance and making even more energy savings that will also benefit the travelling public through sustainable environmental performance and annual cost savings.”
ESB is leading Ireland’s transition to reliable, affordable, low-carbon energy. Its Smart Energy Services business line helps large customers lower their carbon footprint, improving energy efficiency while deliver savings on their energy costs. The consultancy arm provides capital funding, energy management services and implementation of energy projects for businesses which are large users of energy.
Pat O’Doherty, chief executive, ESB, said, “We have a strong and long-standing relationship with DAA and we are delighted to partner with them on their low-carbon transition, delivering significant reductions in energy consumption throughout the airport campus.
“Over the last two years, ESB’s Smart Energy Services has gained considerable interest from companies such as DAA with high energy demand and is set to deliver €150m (US$186m) in savings on energy costs for over 300 large businesses in Ireland and the UK by 2020.
“This fits entirely with ESB’s wider purpose of creating a brighter future for the customers and communities we serve, delivering on our reputation as a responsible, committed and trusted leader.”