| The new 16 megawatt photovoltaic park for self-production and self-consumption was inaugurated today at Athens International Airport. This is the largest self-generation unit in Greece, which, as of today, produces about 45% of the airport company’s annual consumption. The plant’s production of 27,500 megawatt hours per year corresponds to the consumption of about 6,650 households.
By 2046, 71,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide will be avoided from the operation of the new 16 megawatt plant, equivalent to a forest equivalent to the size of the airport (16,000 hectares). The project is part of Athens International Airport’s dynamic sustainable development and environmental responsibility strategy and, in particular, the “Route 2025” objective, a total investment of approximately €100 million, announced by the company in 2019.
At the same time, this investment and the ROUTE 2025 programme are practical proof of our commitment and dedication, as a pillar of our city’s tourism product, to contribute to the promotion of Athens not only as a top tourist destination, but also as a top sustainable destination for the residents and visitors of our city.
Combined with the first 8 MW photovoltaic system that has been operating since 2011 (which conventionally produces for the public grid) and the new 16 MW self-production system, 2/3 of the required needs of AIA in electricity from renewable sources within the airport are produced. This makes Athens International Airport a pioneer – perhaps even unique – among airports in Europe and internationally.
With the completion of the next phase in 2025, which is estimated at an additional 45 megawatts of photovoltaics, it will ensure the production of 100% of the AIA’s electricity needs for each year until 2046, maximizing self-consumption using battery storage units. AIA has already submitted the relevant applications, both to RAE and other competent authorities.
The CEO of Athens International Airport, Yannis Paraschis, said: “The new 16 megawatt photovoltaic park, which we are pleased to inaugurate today, is a practical proof of our company’s commitment to the ambitious goal we announced in December 2019 to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2025. Despite the extremely critical conditions that our industry has faced over the last three years, and while we were still waiting for the framework for self-production and storage to be formulated – which was only recently completed – we proceeded to implement the project in phases so as not to lose time towards our strategic goal, “Route 2025″.
Our effort and perseverance have vindicated us and we are pleased to inaugurate today the largest self-production unit in Greece, an investment that strengthens with its significant footprint the identity of Athens as a sustainable destination.”
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– 60% reduction inCO footprint
Overall, from 2005 to 2021, AIA has achieved a reduction of its footprint of more than 60%, despite a significant increase in passenger traffic, through a series of interventions in airport operations and infrastructure from 67,001 CO2 to 27,641 tonnes of CO2.
– The only airport in Greece with a Carbon Neutral Balance since 2016
AIA is the only airport in Greece with a Neutral Carbon Balance and has been certified by the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme of the International Council of Airports of Europe (ACI-Europe) since 2016.
– The “Route 2025″ objective
In 2019, AIA pledged to achieve a zero carbon footprint (NetZero Carbon) without offsets by 2025 – well ahead of the 2050 target announced by European airports. Athens International Airport’s highly ambitious “Route 2025” initiative aims to produce clean energy within the airport through photovoltaic panels for self-consumption, to cover 100% of its electricity needs, which corresponds to approximately 90% of the company’s carbon footprint.
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