In what is a pioneering project, Antigua will be inaugurating a new 3 megawatt solar power plant this week — at its international airport.

The solar energy installation at VC Bird International Airport includes more than 12,000 photovoltaic panels, developed and constructed by United Kingdom-based PV Energy Limited.

The plant will be holding its grand opening Feb. 25.

According to PV Energy, the plant will generate up to 4.645 MWh per year, saving 3.019,50 tons of CO2 emissions on the island in the same time frame.

That means the plant “almost entirely” covers the electricity consumption of the whole airport, according to PV.

“We pledge our continued commitment to moving our country towards a greener economy recognizing that this will form a major platform for enabling Antigua and Barbuda to realize our goal of becoming an economic powerhouse in the eastern Caribbean”, said Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister and Minister of Finance & Corporate Governance Gaston Browne.

The project was completed in just 87 days, according to the government.

“This important initiative in the energy sector, utilizing state-of-the-art-technologies, will allow us to reduce our foreign ex-change outlays for imported fossil fuel, while developing our indigenous energy resources and contributing towards our goal of reducing our carbon footprint,” said Antigua Tourism Minister Asot Michael.

The launch comes after Antigua completed its state-of-the-art terminal at VC Bird last year.