Melbourne Airport’s solar farm set to power all four terminals sustainably

A new solar farm that is being installed at Melbourne Airport (MEL) will have the capability to produce enough renewable energy to power all four passenger terminals when it is turned on in January 2021, with the project being the largest of its kind in Australia.

The airport’s solar farm is set to generate 17GW hours of electricity per year, equal to nearly 15 per cent of the airport’s annual electricity consumption.

Chief of Landside Access, Utilities and Facilities Group at Melbourne Airport, Lorie Argus, said that she was proud of the investment in renewable energy, which will reduce the airport’s carbon footprint: “With the airport’s electricity demand expected to grow, the construction of our solar farm makes sense for several reasons. The project is expected to deliver significant annualised energy cost savings, a timely benefit with the impacts of COVID-19 wreaking havoc on the aviation industry. We are committed to growing the airport in an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable way. This renewable energy project is another chapter in that story.”

Glen Thomson, Beon Energy Solutions’ General Manager, said the company is excited to be working with Melbourne Airport to deliver Australia’s largest behind the meter solar installation: “The airport location brings with it some unique complexities and challenges, which utilises our collective strengths. We congratulate Melbourne Airport on its investment and focus on innovative solutions for its growing energy needs and we look forward to continuing the relationship with similar projects across the airport precinct.”

Construction of the solar farm is expected to be complete by the end of September 2020 and be operational in January 2021.