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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Sarah George