Welcome to Andreas Airfield
a Manx Project
An agricultural community-led project to transform a former airfield on the Isle of Man into a thriving rural employment zone.
At the heart of the project is a renewable energy hub which combines ground-mounted solar, anaerobic digestion, and battery storage to meet on-site heat and power needs.
This Andreas Infrastructure Partners (AIP) funded project, built on previously developed land, will directly support the Manx agricultural community, positively contributing towards the economy, simultaneously helping the Isle of Man in achieving net zero targets and greater sovereign energy and food security.
We are grateful to everyone who came along and shared their views at our recent and previous public consultation events - your feedback is directly shaping our proposal.
The full AIP development website is on its way.
In the meantime, get in touch if you have any questions.
The Vision
To revitalise the disused airfield and create a sustainable rural employment zone the landowners first needed to overcome local power constraints and to achieve this they devised the concept of developing an off-grid renewable energy hub. Andreas Infrastructure Partners (AIP) aim to turn this concept into a reality.
The hub combines a ground-mounted solar energy array which provides a low cost and predictable energy supply, with an Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant to provide secure base load (24/7/365) and batteries to balance and distribute supply to meet variable on-site demands.
The viability of the project is underpinned by the contribution of the Manx agricultural community who, through an independent farmers co-operative, will provide feedstock to the AD plant to create the energy that will be used to support new employment opportunities and a platform for Agri-Tech innovation and research within the rural employment zone.
Although the energy hub is designed to operate as an islanded microgrid, it is also wholly complementary to the existing Manx electricity network and functionally capable of supporting the broader electricity network if required, adding to the Isle of Man’s energy security.
Importantly the project is a Manx investment led by Andreas Infrastructure Partners, part of the Burnbrae Group, ensuring the sustainability of the project and that the benefits of the project stay on-island, supporting the wider island economy.
The Technology
Discover the technology that supported by advanced energy management systems (EMS) will provide Andreas Airfield with a secure, resilient and affordable renewable energy microgrid.
The Microgrid
A microgrid is a localised energy system that can generate, store and distribute power independently from the main grid.
By coupling ground-mounted solar, anaerobic digestion and battery storage with an intelligent energy management system, Andreas Airfield can operate in three modes: Island Mode (fully off-grid), Transition Mode (switching between on- and off-grid as needed), and Grid-Connected Mode (fully connected).
This gives the airfield energy independence, while a bi-directional grid connection allows power to be imported when needed - and clean power exported to support the wider Isle of Man network if needed.
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Ground-Mounted Solar (GMPV)
Ground-mounted solar (GMPV) is a dependable, low-cost source of renewable electricity. Designed to operate for around 40 years, the panels are modular and scalable. The project uses bifacial panels, which generate extra electricity by capturing reflected light on both sides - improving efficiency and reducing the land needed. Crucially, the land beneath and around the panels continues to be farmed - known as agrivoltaics - supporting biodiversity alongside energy generation.
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Anaerobic Digestion (AD)
Anaerobic Digestion (AD) converts organic material into biogas, generating renewable electricity and heat all year round. The Andreas project is a crop-led plant, using locally grown maize, sugar beet and
grass silage supplied by a Manx farming co-operative - the AD is not run on human waste. As well as electricity, the plant produces biofertiliser, which local farmers can use to grow future crops with price certainty supporting food security.
Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES)
Batteries store electricity from solar and AD generation and release it when demand is high or generation is low - balancing the network and creating grid stability. Batteries are a vital part of a renewable energy system and for this project Vanadium Flow Batteries are being favoured for their long lifespan (25+ years), stability and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact us with any questions that you have or download our frequently asked questions and consultation material.
As we update our website we will aim to keep you fully informed on the progress of the project and will also issue regular updates to Andreas Parish Commissioners to share.
Project Timeline
The Technology
Discover the advanced technology behind Andreas Airfield, designed to deliver safer, smarter, and more efficient aviation operations.
The Microgrid
A microgrid is a localised energy system that can generate, store and distribute power independently from the main grid.
By coupling ground mounted solar, anaerobic digestion and battery storage with an intelligent energy management system Andreas energy hub can operate in three modes: Island Mode (fully off-grid), Transition Mode (switching between on- and off-grid as needed), and Grid-Connected Mode (fully connected).
This gives the airfield energy independence, while a bi-directional grid connection allows power to be imported when needed - and clean power exported to support the wider Isle of Man network if needed.
Ground-Mounted Solar (GMPV)
Ground-mounted solar (GMPV) is a dependable, low-cost source of renewable electricity. Designed to operate for around 40 years, the panels are modular and scalable. The project uses bifacial panels, which generate extra electricity by capturing reflected light on both sides - improving efficiency and reducing the land needed.
Crucially, the land beneath and around the panels continues to be farmed - known as agrivoltaics - supporting biodiversity alongside energy generation
Anaerobic Digestion (AD)
Anaerobic Digestion (AD) converts organic material into biogas, generating renewable electricity and heat all year round. The Andreas project is a crop-led plant, using locally grown maize, sugar beet and grass silage supplied by a Manx farming co-operative - the AD is not run on human waste.
As well as electricity, the plant produces biofertilizer, which local farmers can use to grow future crops with price certainty supporting food security.
Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES)
Batteries store electricity from solar and AD generation and releases it when demand is high or generation is low - balancing the network and creating grid stability.
Batteries are a vital part of a renewable energy system and for this project Vanadium Flow Batteries are being favoured for their long lifespan (25+ years), stability and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact us with any questions that you have or downloaded our frequently asked questions.
As we update our website we will aim to keep you fully informed on the progress of the project and will also issue regular updates to Andreas Parish Commissioners to share.
Project Timeline