Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) today inaugurated its new solar farm, which instantly becomes one of the largest photovoltaic systems in the world within an airport perimeter.
The solar farm is located along the eastern side of Runway 3 at Rome Fiumicino Airport.
The new infrastructure was designed by ADR and built by Enel in collaboration with Circet, following a European public tender after which the integrated contract was assigned.
It extends for almost 2.5 kilometres and is made up of approximately 55,000 mono-crystalline silicon panels.
With a capacity of 22 MWp (measure of the power output of the system), it will allow the airport to produce approximately more than 30 million kWh (measure of the energy production potential) of electricity per year.
According to ADR, this launch represents a first, significant step towards the airport reaching an installed power of 60 Mwp in the next 5 years, with the installation of additional solar farms within the perimeter of the current area.
Such capacity would be enough to satisfy the annual energy needs of 30,000 Italian households for an entire year, or – in terms of electric cars – to fully charge approximately more than one million vehicles.
Approximately €50 million have been invested in total for the implementation of the project, which is part of a portfolio of initiatives for renewable energy generation and sustainable mobility with a financial commitment exceeding €200 million.
The solar farm, which will contribute to reduce the airport’s CO2 emissions by over 11,000 tons per year, is one of the most ambitious initiatives implemented by ADR, in the context of its strong commitment to energy transition and decarbonisation, with the goal of reaching Net Zero Carbon in 2030 – a full 20 years ahead of the industry’s target.
The infrastructure is part of the ESG strategy outlined by the group leader Mundys, whose objectives have been certified by SBTi (Science Based Target Initiative), in line with the aim of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C.
This is the most ambitious target envisaged by the SBTi protocol (currently adopted by few in the airport sector), and projects such as the photovoltaic system inaugurated today are absolutely essential to reach the goal.
In addition to reducing the use of fossil fuels for the energy needs of airport operations, the new project will also enhance ADR’s energy independence and resilience to market volatility.
“The launch of the new solar farm strengthens our commitment to the green transition and decarbonisation, with an infrastructure that is unique in the international airport landscape,” stated ADR CEO, Marco Troncone.
“The energy independence that this new project ensures for our 5-star airport will significantly reduce the environmental impact of our operations, in line with the sustainable development model that we have been building for years.
While Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italy’s Minister of Environment and Energy Security, said: “The air transport sector offers several opportunities for research and development of innovative solutions for decarbonization, and Aeroporti di Roma has been at the forefront of this valuable endeavour for years.
“This photovoltaic plant proves how the energy transition can generate growth opportunities not only for in terms of business – but also for citizens, who will now benefit from an even greener and more innovative hub.
“Aeroporti di Roma’s solar farm at Fiumicino airport represents an important milestone, especially considering the urgent further development in terms of capacity – for an infrastructure committed to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
“Today’s inauguration is also an opportunity to celebrate Italian leadership in this crucial sector. As a country, this kind of achievements motivates us to invest and persist with the research and development of increasingly effective and advanced technologies”.