Queensland Airports Adopt Solar Energy to Reduce Costs and Protect the Reef

Queensland Airports Embrace Solar Energy to Cut Emissions

Two prominent airports along Queensland’s east coast are taking significant steps to lower their energy consumption and reduce emissions by installing new rooftop solar systems.

The Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA), located in Marcoola, has recently completed a solar project featuring 320 panels on the terminal roof. This new system, boasting a capacity of 190.24kW, is anticipated to decrease energy usage in the terminal by 17 per cent, marking a vital move towards the airport’s aim of utilising 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

Chris Mills, CEO of SCA, remarked, “Harnessing solar energy is a crucial step on our sustainability journey. This project will help reduce our carbon footprint and lower the airport’s energy consumption. All energy generated through the rooftop solar will be used to power the main Terminal, and there is room to expand the project following the future domestic terminal expansion.”

Rockhampton Airport Joins the Solar Initiative

Following the Sunshine Coast’s initiative, the Rockhampton Regional Council announced last week the installation of a $2.4 million, 967kW solar system at the Rockhampton Airport Terminal. This project is supported by grant funding from the Australian government’s Reef Trust and the Rockhampton Regional Council.

The new solar system is projected to save approximately 1,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) annually, although the Council has not disclosed the expected reduction in the airport’s grid energy usage. This initiative aligns with the Council’s Reef Action Plan under the Reef Guardian Councils programme, as well as the objectives of the Australian and Queensland governments’ Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan, which aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Protecting the Great Barrier Reef

The Reef Guardian Council programme acknowledges the importance of local and regional efforts in safeguarding and managing the Great Barrier Reef and the communities that rely on it. The solar system at Rockhampton Airport is expected to be completed by 2026.

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams stated, “This is a critical project for Council that will help us reduce our grid energy consumption and save on emissions. We know that Rockhampton Airport is Council’s second highest energy consumer among our many sites and facilities; thus, having this solar project in place will help offset our grid usage while simultaneously addressing climate change impacts and protecting the reef.”