Bombardier Aerospace has been given the go-ahead to install five hectares of photovoltaic panels on the roof of their Belfast plant.
The panels, which will equate to the length of over six large international football pitches, will convert solar radiation into electricity and will produce 3.8MW. This will make it the largest photovoltaic scheme in Northern Ireland.
Environment Minister, Mark Durkan, also approved an application for a biogas combined heat and power engine unit at the Belfast site, which will have the capacity to produce 500kw of electricity - the equivalent electricity supply for 300 homes.
These proposals represent a further commitment by Bombardier to renewable energy technologies which will secure more competitive and sustainable energy for the company and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. This is in addition to recent approvals for an £85 million plant producing energy from waste, adjacent to their Belfast site, as well as similar biogas units in their Newtownabbey and Dunmurry plants.
Mark H Durkan said, "This is a further boost for one of our leading companies which is installing renewable energy technologies to reduce energy costs and reliance on fossil fuels.
"Renewable energy is generating a real win-win outcome - it represents an opportunity for industry to improve its competitiveness while helping reduce its environmental impact. These applications by Bombardier to secure more sustainable technologies will in turn contribute to Government targets for increasing renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This will assist Northern Ireland in making the transition towards a low carbon society.
"The decision for the photovoltaic panels was processed in around six weeks and represents how a more efficient planning system is delivering the right decisions quickly for business. This further demonstrates my commitment to deliver fast and fair planning decisions that create a better environment and a stronger economy."
