Cork Airport has reported it has achieved a 35% saving on its total energy consumption since 2009, resulting in cost savings of almost €575,000 per year over the past five years. The achievement in reducing its carbon footprint by more than a third has been recognised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

The authority ranked the airport within the top 2% of 190 public bodies and Ireland’s fourth best performer overall in terms of energy reduction.

Cork Airport has introduced a continuous approach to energy management, focusing on optimising the existing operational control of the airport and ensuring all equipment and practices are as efficient as possible.

With 6 years remaining to the 2020 deadline of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan, Cork Airport has surpassed the 33% target set out for public sector bodies and says it continuing to drive energy efficiency measures for continuous improvement.

Cork Airport managing director, Niall MacCarthy, explains: “We are absolutely delighted that Cork Airport has reduced its energy bills by 35% since 2009.

“This result is a great recognition of the initiatives, which Cork Airport has undertaken to ensure that we have the most effective approach to energy management.

“We have successfully achieved annual savings of €575,000 since 2009, which is a testimony to the hard work of all of the team at Cork Airport to make sure that we are continuously reducing emissions and reducing costs.”

Cork Airport is the international gateway to the south of Ireland, and welcomed more than 2.2 million passengers a year.