Initial proposals for a solar farm on land south of Blackpool Airport’s main runway have been submitted to Fylde Council.
The proposed 20MVA solar farm aims to enable Blackpool Airport to generate its own renewable electricity, significantly reducing energy bills and its carbon footprint. Additionally, Blackpool Council would see a reduction in its overall net electricity consumption by up to 75%.
Further, renewable energy from the solar farm would support the Silicon Sands data centre campus, planned for north of the current airfield. Silicon Sands intends to create a series of renewably powered data centres, generating quality jobs on the Fylde coast and promoting carbon-friendly data centre practices. These practices include the use of liquid immersion cooling and the reuse of waste energy in a district heat network.
The solar farm’s power will also equip Blackpool Airport to support the next generation of sustainable hybrid and electric battery-powered aircraft. Cllr Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, commented: “Tackling the climate emergency is a major priority for Blackpool. The council and its companies own a significant number of buildings and homes, as well as an airport, all of which are large energy consumers. These solar farm proposals would allow us to generate our own green energy, reducing our carbon emissions and energy bills considerably. It will also help support our plans to grow the local economy, by providing green energy to data centres and businesses at Silicon Sands, as well as helping the airport to explore the next generation of sustainable aviation.”
A screening application for the solar farm has been submitted to Fylde Council, which might see it operational by the end of the decade. If approved, the solar farm will support Blackpool Airport’s plans to reduce energy bills and maximise the use of unused land. This development would necessitate the closure of the smaller 13/31 crosswind runway, which currently costs more to maintain than it generates in aeronautical and commercial revenue. Only 4% of flights in 2023 used this runway. The emerging masterplan for new hangars and aviation facilities also considers closing this runway in future years.
Steve Peters, Managing Director of Blackpool Airport, stated: “This is an opportunity for the airport to make the best use of the land by repurposing it so that it creates a revenue stream for the airport while reducing our energy bills and supporting our 10-year plan to become more financially sustainable. Installing solar farms at airports is increasingly common, with operational farms at other major airports and plans for more across the UK and the world. Runway 28/10, at 1,800 metres long, provides good capability for a busy airport handling around 40,000 flight movements per year. This move would support our wider plans to improve the airport even further in the coming years.”
A buffer zone of trees and landscaping will be created around the southern edge of the solar farm, adjacent to properties around Leach Lane in Lytham St Annes. Blackpool Airport, wholly owned by Blackpool Council since 2017, lies within Fylde Council’s boundary for planning purposes.
The screening opinion submission to Fylde Council marks the first stage of the planning process, determining the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment. Local residents will have the opportunity to review the plans in detail in the coming weeks. Planning support for the solar farm has been provided by Enterprise Zone consultants, along with feasibility studies from Horizon Power and Energy.
The proposed solar farm represents a significant step towards renewable energy self-sufficiency for Blackpool Airport and Blackpool Council. It promises substantial reductions in energy costs and carbon emissions while supporting future green aviation technologies and local economic growth.
