Thailand’s Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) is set to pave the way for eco-friendly aviation by developing Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the first “Green” airport in the country. The aim is to generate renewable energy to power the airport and reduce electricity costs by around 20-30% annually.
According to Kirati Kitmanawat, the CEO of AOT, the plan is well underway, with solar panels already installed on the airport’s main terminal. Kitmanawat revealed that officials are also looking to add photovoltaic energy to further cut the airport’s power bills, taking a cue from major airports in other countries.
In addition, AOT intends to switch to electric vehicles for airport transportation once the current vehicle rental contract expires. The company will also encourage public transportation providers at the airport to switch to electric vehicles as well.
Kitmanawat expects Suvarnabhumi International Airport to fully transition to solar and renewable energy in approximately four years. If the project proves successful, AOT plans to roll out the transition to other airports under its supervision.
The move towards renewable energy is becoming increasingly popular in the aviation industry, as the sector strives to become more environmentally sustainable. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has set a target for the industry to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2050. With airports accounting for a significant portion of the industry’s carbon emissions, the transition to renewable energy could play a critical role in achieving this target.
