Cork Airport is set to become home to Ireland’s largest solar carport through a new partnership with Greenvolt Next, marking a major milestone for sustainable infrastructure in Irish aviation.
The project forms part of daa Group’s wider €200 million investment in capital projects at Cork Airport and will see Greenvolt Next Ireland construct and commission the new solar carport. Scheduled to go live in August 2027, the development will combine practical passenger benefits with large-scale renewable energy generation.
Located at the Blue Car Park, the 1.7 MW solar carport will be delivered in two phases and will include 3,696 photovoltaic solar panels and five inverters. Once operational, it is expected to generate more than 1.5 GWh of renewable electricity annually, supplying around 20% of Cork Airport’s electricity needs.
In addition to producing clean energy, the structure will provide sheltered parking for passengers’ vehicles. The project is also expected to reduce Cork Airport’s CO₂ emissions by 355,056 kg each year, based on SEAI data, while lowering annual electricity costs and improving operational efficiency through on-site generation.
For Greenvolt Next, the project reflects its focus on making renewable energy adoption straightforward and commercially valuable for businesses.
”Our aim is to make renewable energy easy, and this solar carport does exactly that by enabling Cork Airport to be more resourceful, have more control, and use more reliable infrastructure. Alongside that, it will also deliver tangible benefits not only from a financial but environmental perspective. We look forward to working with Cork Airport to both creating the largest solar carport in Ireland and future-proofing the aviation sector.
Owen Power, CEO of Greenvolt Next Ireland
The development has received grant support from the Department of Transport and the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy, underlining the strategic importance of the investment for both transport infrastructure and climate action.
Cork Airport says the project will play a central role in helping it meet its long-term sustainability goals. Already recognised by SEAI as the leading commercial semi-state body for energy reduction for two consecutive years, in 2021 and 2022, the airport is continuing to build on that progress with this latest initiative.
Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport, said: “We understand the need for more sustainable operations at airports, which is why Cork Airport is investing in Ireland’s largest solar carport today. We acknowledge the support of daa Group, the Department of Transport and the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy for making this exciting project happen. We will meet our 2030 energy reduction targets and we are proud to confirm that.”
The announcement comes as Cork Airport continues a period of strong growth. In 2025, the airport welcomed 3.46 million passengers, making it Ireland’s fastest-growing airport and the busiest year in its 64-year history. It was also named Europe’s Best Regional Airport by ACI Europe, reflecting its success in expanding routes, supporting inbound tourism, and strengthening its sustainability credentials.
Alongside the solar carport project, works will also begin shortly to extend the Holiday Blue car park by a further 669 spaces, giving passengers greater choice and availability.
Together, these investments point to a broader vision for Cork Airport: one that supports rising passenger demand while embedding sustainability into the heart of its operations. For Greenvolt Next, the project further strengthens its position in Ireland and in the aviation sector. For Cork Airport, it is another clear example of how innovation can help future-proof critical infrastructure.
