Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) has recently announced two partnerships that will help it achieve its sustainability target of having the airport operate with net zero carbon emissions across scopes 1 and 2 from its October opening.
It has partnered with CleanPeak Energy to ensure the airport runs on 100 per cent renewable energy from opening. CleanPeak Energy will manage the airport’s 9,000 rooftop solar panels, which will supply 40 per cent of the airport’s energy needs, alongside installing another rooftop solar system in WSI’s cargo precinct, which will provide double the energy of the existing system. CleanPeak Energy will also install a battery storage system – with completion expected late next year – and manage additional renewable energy WSI needs to purchase.
“We are delighted to be working with Australian-owned business CleanPeak to support WSI’s net zero ambitions,” said WSI CEO, Simon Hickey.
“The energy system they will manage represents a landmark commitment to achieving net zero scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions for WSI, showcasing the low carbon future airports can champion as pivotal pieces of major infrastructure.”
The airport has also joined forces with Freightquip, who will both supply and operate ground support equipment (GSE) for the airport that is almost entirely electrified, rather than powered by fossil fuels.
The airport will also be the first in Australia to run its ground vehicles in a pooling model across the entire airport, meaning all ground handling service providers dip into a collective “pool” of equipment, increasing efficiency and giving the airport control over ground handling emissions.
“We’ve already installed 34 electric chargers supporting sustainable ground operations,” said Hickey.
“By combining GSE pooling with a predominantly electric fleet, WSI is modernising ground operations, improving fleet utilisation, safety and ultimately reducing the environmental impact of our operations.”
The first passenger flight to depart from Western Sydney International Airport will be a Jetstar flight to the Gold Coast on October 25. The first international flight, on Air New Zealand, will depart the following day for Auckland.
