Ostend-Bruges International Airport (OST) will soon become home to the second-largest solar panel park in Belgium. The energy company EnergyVision has committed to installing more than 66,000 solar panels around the airport site, with work due to begin later this year.
The solar panels at the airport will account for an annual production of nearly 37,000 MWh - enough to power the airport with 100% green electricity, and with plenty to spare, which will be used to power Antwerp International Airport (ANR) as well as residential areas close to the airport. The production of solar energy is also expected to save 9,600 tons of CO2 on an annual basis.
The airport's CEO, Eric Dumas, highlighted the importance of the project, not only for the airport, but also for the local area. He said,
"In addition to greening our own power consumption, the remaining energy we get from the solar panels will be able to be used by nearly 10,000 families in the area. For us, it is important that our neighbors can also benefit from this."
The cost of the project is estimated to be around €35 million ($38 million), funded by EnergyVision, and the total area of the solar park will reach a size equivalent to 61 soccer fields when complete. The solar panels will be placed at three different locations around the airport - two on the grass areas next to the runway, and one area on Apron 2. Solar panels will also be placed on the roof at various locations, including the covered walkway connecting the terminal building with the departure gates.
Check out all the latest European aviation news here.
A big step in the right direction
Ostend-Bruges International Airport is part of the global Airport Carbon Accreditation program, which aims to make airports carbon-neutral by 2050. The new solar panel park will propel the airport on its way to achieving this goal. Dumas went on to say,
"Every new, green, and innovative decision we take also has a positive impact on economic growth in the region. With this, the airport aims to create added value not only for travelers by focusing on smooth and fast service, but also for its environment."
Future phases of the airport's sustainability plan include adding energy storage capabilities, as well as the installation of kinetic tiles, allowing passengers to generate their own electricity as they step.
Ostend-Bruges International Airport
Ostend-Bruges International Airport is situated close to the city of Ostend, on the Belgian coast, and 16 miles from Bruges. Currently, the airport sees few commercial flights, with its sole operator being the leisure airline TUI fly Belgium.
TUI fly Belgium flies to a series of holiday destinations around Europe, including Alicante (ALC), Tenerife (TFS), and Rhodes (RHO), with its fleet of Boeing 737s and Embraer aircraft. The airport also sees cargo services from the likes of EgyptAir Cargo and Qatar Airways Cargo. Last summer, the airport saw a strong rebound in traffic following the pandemic, and will no doubt be hoping for a similar trend this year.
Get the latest aviation news straight to your inbox. Sign up for our newsletters today.
What do you think of the plans to install Belgium's second-largest solar panel park at Ostend-Bruges International Airport (OST)? Share your thoughts by commenting below.