Adelaide Airport has completed installation of more than 3,800 solar panels on its domestic and international terminal roof - close to tripling the size of its solar systems.
Image Credit: Adelaide Airport
All of Adelaide Airport’s electricity already comes from renewable sources generated by a combination of on-site solar and Iberdrola’s Lake Bonney wind farms in South Australia. The new 2.3 MWp Photovoltaic (PV) solar system now generates approximately 3,282 MWh of energy annually, bringing the total solar capacity at the airport to 3.5 MWp, enough to power 1,000 homes.
The solar system, installed in partnership with Iberdrola Australia, has significantly grown Adelaide Airport’s solar output - previously comprising a system on the multi-storey car park roof and a smaller pre-existing system installed on the terminal roof generating a combined 1.28 MW.
Adelaide Airport in December 2024 became the first major airport in Australia to reach carbon neutrality.
The airport has already reduced its carbon emissions by close to 90 percent since 2018 through improved energy efficiency, increased onsite renewables, and other activities including local windfarm energy purchasing.
Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox, said: “This solar system has significantly increased Adelaide Airport’s cost-effective renewable energy generation. It is expected to supply 15 percent of the terminal’s energy needs.
“Our purpose is to proudly connect and shape South Australia, our vision is to be everyone’s favourite airport and sustainability is a core feature of our strategic plan. Cost effective, renewable energy is important for the long-term sustainability of our organization and our partners.”
Mr Cox said Adelaide Airport still had a long way to go on its overall sustainability journey but achieving carbon neutrality through projects and initiatives such as the rooftop solar system was a proud achievement following several years of work to develop and implement its decarbonization strategy.
“Our strategy has focussed on seeking to reduce carbon intensity through upgrading to more efficient alternatives, increasing onsite renewable energy generation, and supporting renewable energy projects in South Australia through the airport’s electricity contract,” Mr Cox said.
A total of approximately 3,800 solar panels and 16 inverters have been installed as part of the project.
Chairman and CEO of Iberdrola Australia, Ross Rolfe, AO, said: “We are delighted to have delivered the 2.3 MW behind-the-meter solar project for Adelaide Airport. This on-site renewable generation now sits alongside the 100 percent renewable energy-based retail contract between Adelaide Airport and Iberdrola Australia. This integrated approach lowers Adelaide Airport's power costs while also giving them reliable supplies of clean energy over the long-term - demonstrating that a sustainable future is possible for Australia’s airports.”
Background
Adelaide Airport and Iberdrola Australia have previously entered a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to supply 100 percent renewable energy for the airport’s remaining electricity requirements. Renewable energy certificates are generated by Iberdrola’s Lake Bonney wind farms in SA.
The PPA has enabled Adelaide Airport to achieve zero scope 2 emissions and will be supported by the terminal solar PV project once completed.
Other recent Adelaide Airport initiatives have included working to accelerate the transition of the industry to sustainable aviation fuels, upgrading lighting including LED across its terminal and runways precincts, and optimizing plant and equipment to reduce energy usage and emissions.