Rooftop solar power meets 100% of Dalaman Airport’s electricity needs

Dalaman Airport in Turkey has reached a major milestone in sustainable aviation, becoming the first airport terminal globally to meet 100% of its electricity demand solely through rooftop solar installations.

The completion of Phase 2 of its rooftop solar power project represents a step change in sustainable airport operations and underscores Ferrovial’s strategy to deliver low‑carbon, future‑ready infrastructure at scale.

The Spanish infrastructure giant is the majority shareholder in the airport operator responsible for managing the gateway on behalf of Turkey’s General Directorate of State Airports (DHMI).

The solar installation generates more than 20,000MWh of renewable electricity annually, avoiding approximately 8,500 tons of CO2 emissions each year – equivalent to the environmental benefit of around 380,000 trees.

In addition to clean energy generation, the rooftop panels provide natural shading across skylights and glazed façades, reducing cooling demand and improving energy efficiency during peak summer periods, a critical operational advantage for airport terminals in warm climates.

The system has been fully integrated into the terminal’s existing architecture and operations, using rooftop space only and requiring no expansion of the airport’s physical footprint.

According to Ferrovial, the project demonstrates how carbon intensity in complex transport infrastructure can be materially reduced through tailored engineering, intelligent design, and optimisation of existing assets.

This milestone eliminates Scope 2 emissions associated with terminal electricity consumption and establishes a new global benchmark for renewable energy integration in the aviation sector.

The project forms part of a broader sustainability roadmap at Dalaman Airport, which includes internationally recognised initiatives such as its ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 3+ certification.

“Together with ongoing measures to optimise energy efficiency, resource use, and environmental management across the asset, the development reinforces a structured, measurable approach to reducing carbon,” says Ferrovial.

“As passenger demand continues to grow, Dalaman Airport is focused on delivering a seamless, high‑quality experience while advancing sustainable operations.

“The project shows that growth and efficiency can be achieved alongside environmental performance, and the role of engineering‑led solutions in enabling lower‑impact aviation infrastructure.”