Ireland West Airport Knock has signed a new green power deal with competitive electricity provider Energia. The “Green Supply” power deal will see the airport continue to progress on its aim to be carbon neutral and reduce its carbon footprint by 861 tonnes each year.
Under the terms of the new deal, independent electricity firm Energia will supply all of Ireland West Airport’s electricity requirements from renewable power sources. The airport used only the most energy-efficient products and procedures during the recently-completed airport extension.
Ireland West Airport’s annual electricity requirement is for 1.6 GWh (gigawatt hours ) of power, the equivalent of supplying some 330 homes. The entirety of this will now be supplied from renewable resources, leading to a saving of 861 tonnes of carbon each year.
Commenting on the deal, Paula Roberts, finance manager at Ireland West Airport, said: “While the airport strives to offer competitive choices in airport services, and seeks to attract and partner with airlines and tour operators offering great value flights and holidays for people living in, and visiting, the west and northwest region, we also strive to ensure that every aspect of the running of our business is done efficiently and to the best international environmental standards. This new contract with Energia is another step in both driving efficiencies at our airport and at the same time contributing to a better environment for all to benefit from. We are delighted to be able to partner with a local Irish producer of renewal energy.”
Tomas Grimes, property manager at Ireland West Airport Knock, added: “The design of the new terminal and the installation of Cat II instrumentation landing systems have used the most energy efficient products to help reduce our energy costs and reduce carbon emissions. This deal will further aid our strategy to become carbon neutral.”
Energia’s wind farm offtake contracts and wind asset development pipeline on the island of Ireland comprises 550MW, making a major contribution to Ireland’s sustainable energy agenda. The company also supplies 25 per cent of all gas consumed in Ireland by large industrial and commercial customers.
Energia is a low carbon intensity energy supplier. The company’s renewable portfolio currently eliminates more than 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year from the Irish atmosphere, making a significant contribution to carbon reduction by its customers. These figures will increase significantly in the years ahead as further green projects come on stream.
