Bristol Airport switches to 100% renewable electricity

Electricity supplied to the airport will be generated across Orsted's offshore wind portfolio. Image: Bristol Airport

The move has been facilitated via a three-year power supply agreement with Ørsted, which will see the airport’s annual electricity demand of 17 million kWh met with wind generation.

Ørsted has reduced emissions intensity from power generation by 83% since 2006, largely by shifting its business model away from oil and natural gas and towards offshore wind. It is targeting a 98% reduction, against the same baseline, by 2025.

Bristol Airport claims that the areas of its business which use the most electricity are its terminal buildings, its wider estate and aircraft stands equipped with Fixed Electrical Ground Power (FEGP) units. Such units enable essential pre-flight services to be carried out without the need for diesel generation.

Over the three-year duration of the supply agreement, the Airport estimates that it will generate 14,000 tonnes less of power-related carbon emissions, compared to its current electricity mix. The switch is set to take place in early October.

“From next month, our terminal and other facilities will be powered by renewable energy – a significant step on our journey to carbon neutrality,” Bristol Airport’s planning and sustainability director Simon Earles said.

“There is more to do, but this is a clear statement of our intent to reduce our direct emissions.”

Also included in Bristol Airport’s plan for carbon-neutrality are the installation of more electric vehicle (EV) charging points before the end of 2019; the offsetting of all emissions generated through passenger travel to and from the airport beginning in 2020; and new measures to reduce engine use on-ground by 2023.


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Energy and sustainability professionals keen to find out more about sourcing renewable energy through Corporate PPAs now have access to a 45-minute masterclass on the topic, on-demand. 

Hosted by edit in association with Orsted, the webinar explores what Corporate PPAs are, which oganisations are most suited to adopting them, and the business benefits of doing so. 

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Sarah George 

Comments (1)

  1. Keiron Shatwell says:

    How about installing solar panels across the roof space of the terminal and around the apron area?

    I see no reason why ground mounted solar panels could not be installed around an airport as they are no higher than any other signage around the field and can be kept a safe distance from runways. Given the vast acreage at an airport this would allow a huge amount of power to be generated (especially at somewhere like Bristol where it is sunnier than average). Then the airport really could claim to be sourcing 100% renewable power.

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