The new power plant is expected to produce up to 17,4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. All the power generated will be used by the group's companies within Frankfurt Airport. The energy will also power the fleet of electric vehicles and contribute to the air conditioning of the terminals.
A power plant opening The event was attended by the Minister of Economy, Energy and Transport of the state of Hesse, Kaweh Mansoori, and the Chairman of the Board of Fraport, Dr. Stefan Schulte.
“By 2045 at the latest, Fraport will operate Frankfurt Airport with Net Zero status, meaning it will be neutral in greenhouse gases and free of CO₂. The key factor for this is clear: our electricity grid at the airport will be largely composed of renewable energy sources. Today we took a big step towards this ambitious goal,” Schulte highlighted.
Regarding incentives for projects in the renewable energy sector, the president of Fraport commented:
“Here at the airport, we are investing in green energy from solar sources, and since 2021 we have already included small quotas of wind energy in our energy mix. Thus, we have already reached approximately 90% renewable energy. From mid-2026, our power purchase agreement (PPA) with EnBW will come into effect, guaranteeing 85 megawatts of green energy, which will allow us to cover 100% of the group's needs in Frankfurt with renewable sources,” he added.
Installing solar power in airports: how to do it and what are the challenges?
The technology, which had already been tested in 2022 with positive results, began its expansion in the spring of 2024. According to a statement from the group's press office, environmental issues were carefully considered during the project, valuing the airport's green areas and respecting the breeding periods of local fauna.
“These advantages make 'photovoltaic fences' attractive not only for our airport, but also for public spaces,” Schulte explained.
Installing them vertically ensures that the growth of local vegetation is not impacted, as the modules do not block sunlight or rain.
“In recent months, many representatives from regional politics, urban planners, and colleagues from international airports have been able to see this firsthand. Within Frankfurt's runway system, there are still several possibilities for expansion, which we are already studying,” announced the president of the operator Fraport.
Complement to existing power plants
The start of energy production by the new plant should complement the power generated by existing facilities in the area. airport, located mainly on the rooftops. New facilities are planned for the parking lot and the main building of the new Terminal 3.
One of the advantages of the new installation compared to previous ones is that the vertical power plant is positioned east-west, capturing sunlight during the mornings and afternoons, while conventional plants reach their maximum power only at midday. The combination of the two technologies should guarantee solar power stable throughout the day.
Progress towards the “Net Zero” climate goal
The Fraport group's objective is to achieve Net Zero status by 2045, meaning zero greenhouse gas emissions, encompassing all gases that impact the climate, not just CO₂.
“Today’s entry into operation is a milestone towards our Net Zero climate goal. The widespread international attention this innovative technology has received confirms our approach of moving forward boldly and exploring new paths to lead global air transport to a sustainable future,” Schulte added.
The Minister of Energy for the state of Hesse, Kaweh Mansoori, stated that the inauguration of the project is a major step in the commitment to sustainability and innovation.
“Frankfurt Airport is Hesse’s gateway to the world and a major employer in the region. Today’s inauguration is not only a milestone for the airport’s sustainable energy supply, but also a commitment to innovation and progress in the state of Hesse. As the main shareholder of Fraport AG, the Hesse government fully supports the group’s sustainability strategy,” said Mansoori.
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