A major solar power project at Teesside International Airport which could deliver enough green electricity to power the equivalent of more than 17,000 homes will be announced today (Monday, September 11).

An agreement has been reached between Teesside Airport and energy giant SSE Energy Solutions which will see a solar farm installed at the airport.

The first phase of the project is due to enter construction early next year and will see up to 3MW of solar generation initially installed to meet airport and local demand.

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Further phases could ultimately deliver 50MW of capacity over the coming years, which could make it one of the biggest solar projects in the UK and capable of displacing over 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the electricity supply network each year.

FTSE 100 firm SSE has also signed a lease to open a base at Teesside Airport.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "This landmark agreement has the potential to deliver one of the biggest solar projects of its size in the UK and will deliver our ambition to make the airport net zero. Indeed, it likely means the airport will be the first in the country to be carbon neutral.

"Our work with SSE Energy Solutions again proves how we can attract the biggest and best companies to our region to work on innovative schemes, which provide well-paid, highly skilled jobs and serious investment while also delivering a greener future."

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Neil Kirkby, managing director at SSE Energy Solutions, said: “This fantastic project aligns perfectly with SSE Energy Solutions’ strategy to help local authorities transition to a net zero carbon future, while creating great opportunities for local people.

"To achieve this, we are building a strong presence within Teesside through the creation of a regional ‘hub’, the like of which we’re also establishing in many other regions across the UK."

Teesside Airport announced plans in 2022 to make its operations net zero by the end of the decade through the decarbonisation of its buildings and infrastructure and development of sustainable aviation fuel production in the region.

There are also plans to install a new ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hub powered by the solar array in line with the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority’s ambition to increase the number of public EV charging points in Tees Valley by 200 per cent by 2025.

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Phil Clements, director of energy infrastructure at SSE Energy Solutions, said: “I’m thrilled that our project takes a great step towards establishing a net-zero carbon future for the people and businesses of Teesside.

"I’m proud that SSE is playing a part in helping deliver the decarbonisation plan set out by Mayor Houchen’s Combined Authority, and in doing so bringing jobs and additional investment to the area.”

SSE is investing £10m a day to establish clean energy infrastructure across the UK by 2026.

The announcement follows confirmation in August that Teesside Airport will be home to a new permanent hydrogen refuelling station after being successful in the Government’s latest £8million Hydrogen Transport Hub Demonstration.