Athens International Airport commissions 16 MW solar PV project

Athens International Airport (AIA) has announced the inauguration of a new 16 MW self-consumption photovoltaic (PV) project capable of covering almost 45% of its yearly electricity usage. The plant, the largest self-consumption PV park in Greece, will produce 27,500 MWh per year, equivalent to the power demand of roughly 6,650 homes, and will contain over 29,200 Longi PV panels. Over 71,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions are expected to be offset by the AIA by 2046 as a result of the new solar park commissioning.

The airport already has an 8 MW rooftop solar facility that was installed in 2011. AIA believes that it will achieve net-zero emissions from fuel consumption and fulfil all of on-site electricity needs through renewable energy sources by 2025 via its Net Zero Route 2025 initiative, which requires around US$109.2 million in investments.

With the expansion of Athens International Airport's solar power capacity and energy storage capabilities, it is anticipated that the airport will serve as a prime example of how airports, which are consistently expanding and consuming more energy, can incorporate sustainable infrastructure to minimize their carbon footprint.