Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning approval for the Northern Ireland's largest scheme to convert solar radiation into electricity.

The application by Bombardier Aerospace at their Airport Road West, Belfast plant is for the installation of roof mounted photovoltaic panels. These panels convert solar radiation into electricity and will produce 3.8MW. Covering a roof area of five hectares - the equivalent length of over six large international football pitches - this makes it the largest photovoltaic scheme in Northern Ireland. The carbon footprint is 65 times lower than that of fossil fuel based electricity.

The Minister also approved an application for a biogas combined heat and power engine unit at this Belfast site which will have the capacity to produce 500kw of electricity which is the equivalent electricity supply for 300 homes.

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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 a £85m energy from waste plant, adjacent to their Airport Road West site, as well as similar biogas units in their Newtownabbey and Dunmurry plants.

Mr 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 key Programme for 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."

(CD/JP)