Bristol Airport has generated more than 1.7 million kWh of solar energy so far in 2026, 20% more than over the same period last year, the airport confirmed this week. That is enough renewable power to supply around 680 homes for a year, and it comes from the airport's on-site solar arrays rather than the national grid.
The energy is produced by a 1.5-megawatt solar farm south of the runway, plus panels on the roofs of several airport buildings, including the newer Public Transport Interchange. According to the airport, that electricity already powers its fleet of electric passenger buses, terminal equipment such as flight information screens and coffee machines, and runway lighting.
Clare Hennessey, Bristol Airport's director of sustainability, said: "We're working towards our commitment to be net zero across our airport operations by 2030. This year we've managed to produce 20% more renewable energy on site compared to 2025, which means less needs to be taken from the national grid. Our investment in solar panels, as well as electrification of buses, are among the initiatives we've been rolling out to meet the target."
The airport says a new £10 million Energy Centre is due to become operational later this year. It will use electrically powered air source heat pumps to heat and cool the terminal, which the airport says will make it one of the first in the UK to remove gas heating from its terminal building entirely.
The solar progress follows an announcement last month that Bristol Airport is funding research into low-height wind turbines, aimed at generating more on-site renewable power without the radar interference that normally rules out wind turbines near runways. The airport has also set an interim target of cutting carbon emissions across its operations by 73% by 2027, and says it is working with aerospace partners on zero-emission flight technology.
None of this changes how passengers move through the airport day to day, and there is no impact on flight schedules or terminal access. But the expanding solar capacity, and the shift to electric buses and heat pumps, are part of a broader effort to keep the airport's own operations, including the transport links passengers use to reach it, running on cleaner power as it grows.
What this means for your journey: if you are arriving by Bristol Airport's electric bus network from local park and ride sites or the city centre, that service runs in part on power generated by these solar arrays. For details on getting to and from the airport by bus, rail link or taxi, see our public transport guide.
Sources: Bristol Airport official press release, and The Weston Mercury.