Brisbane Airport Secures Renewable Energy Future

2022-11-13

Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has entered into an historic six-year agreement to secure power that is linked to renewable energy from Queensland’s Clarke Creek Wind Farm & Blue Grass Solar projects as part of its commitment to be net zero for scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025.

BAC is the first customer to sign onto Stanwell Corporation’s renewable energy pipeline, which will supply up to 185 GWh of power each year.

CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff hailed the landmark announcement, which supports Brisbane Airport Corporation’s dramatically accelerated sustainability target.

"This energy deal delivers on Brisbane Airport Corporation’s commitment to be a sustainable world leading airport city. Queenslanders can travel through our terminals knowing their journey begins and ends at one of the world’s most sustainable airports once this energy begins flowing from regional Queensland."

"There are half a million businesses in Queensland. I’m proud that Brisbane Airport Corporation is customer number one for Stanwell’s renewable energy pipeline."

The energy that is linked to Stanwell's renewable energy projects will power operations at Brisbane Airport, from the runway lights through to the terminals. It will also recharge Brisbane Airport’s fleet of electric buses, cars, Australia’s only electric aircraft refuelling truck and even electric lawn mowers.

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said supplying linked renewable energy options for commercial and industrial businesses is a win-win for Queenslanders.

"There are two major milestones to celebrate with this partnership-the energy offtake deal is the first renewable energy contract signed from Stanwell’s renewable energy pipeline and BAC is the first Queensland Airport to commit to reaching net-zero scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025," Mr de Brenni said.

Stanwell CEO, Michael O’Rourke, said Stanwell was proud to be supporting Brisbane Airport Corporation accelerate its net zero target by 2025 through its retail arm Stanwell Energy.

"This is the first of many renewable energy options Stanwell Energy will be offering to support our commercial and industrial customers meet their decarbonisation requirements," Mr O'Rouke said.

Additional solar capacity at Brisbane Airport

BAC is already producing solar energy from its 6-megawatt renewable energy system which harnesses energy from 18,000 panels installed across the airport.

Today BAC announced it would increase this by adding another 5-megawatts of solar capacity on site.

"But this is just the beginning. Soon we will transition the rest of our fleet vehicles to electric and continue to look at new opportunities to decrease our carbon emissions and that includes researching the development of an on-site blue carbon removal project within our 285-hectare biodiversity zone," according to Gert-Jan de Graaff.

BAC is a unique power customer in that it operates its own electricity distribution network across Brisbane Airport, supplying more than 500 businesses with power.

Brisbane Airport’s Sustainability journey so far:

2010 285-hectare Biodiversity Zone established

2014 Australia’s first Green Star Communities rating

2018 Electric bus fleet rolled out

2019 Installation of airport solar installation

2021 Trial of artificial intelligence to reduce energy consumption in buildings with 12% reduction in energy use

2022 (August) Acceleration of net zero target by 25 years to 2025

2022 (August) Australia’s first all-electric refueller deployed to BNE by Air BP

2022 (November) Introduction to BNE of 100% electric commercial mowers

2022 (November) BAC to build another 5-megawatts of solar capacity

2022 (November) Announcement of renewable energy deal with Stanwell

BAC acknowledges its responsibility extends beyond its own operations. Brisbane Airport is a signatory of the World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow 2030 Ambition Statement established to advance the introduction of low-carbon aviation fuels. This includes a commitment to 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel at Brisbane Airport by 2030.