Edinburgh Airport and renewable energy firm Ørsted have formed a collaboration to outline ideas to decarbonize the airport and expedite the transition to sustainable air transport.
The parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on developing a roadmap for reducing emissions at Edinburgh Airport and achieving the airport’s net zero by 2040 goal. It is intended that it would serve as a model for other airports throughout the world.
The partnership will contribute significantly to Scotland’s Net Zero ambitions and will transform Edinburgh Airport into one of the most sustainable in the world by utilizing green technologies, such as new hydrogen fuels produced at scale from offshore wind farms, to completely eliminate carbon emissions from the airport and its aircraft.
Ørsted and Edinburgh Airport will collaborate to decarbonize the airport:
- the energy consumed by the airport
- the energy consumed by the airport’s vehicles
- the amount of energy consumed by vehicles transporting people and cargo to and from the airport
- the fuel consumed by aircraft landing at the airport
They will find the best cost-effective and environmentally friendly options for Edinburgh Airport and work with the Scottish and UK governments to implement the necessary regulatory and legislative reforms to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. This will include suggestions for hydrogen production facilities powered by offshore wind in order to aid in the decarbonisation process.
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said:
“The aviation industry realises the part it plays in emissions and the need to move towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. We have made huge advances in technology and we want to continue to innovate and ensure aviation’s future is one that is decarbonised and contributes positively to our economy and Scotland’s net zero ambitions.
“Although aviation emissions derive in the main from aircraft in flight, we can play our part within our estate and fuel for aircraft at Edinburgh and we are confident this exciting partnership will help us on our way to a sustainable travel future and see Edinburgh Airport helping to develop and support sustainable fuels and their use.”
Duncan Clark, Head of UK Region at Ørsted said:
“This is a key stage on Scotland’s journey to reach net zero by 2045. Whilst we have made huge strides in decarbonising the way we generate electricity, the next stage is to use that renewable electricity to decarbonise industry and transport. This will involve renewable energy companies collaborating with forward-looking companies such as Edinburgh Airport. Renewable hydrogen is key to decarbonising heavy transport and air-travel and look forward to working together on this exciting technology.”
Minister for Transport Graeme Dey said:
“Our recent report into decarbonising the transport sector makes it clear that all modes need to reduce emissions in order for Scotland to meet our ambitious climate change targets, so we welcome this partnership between Edinburgh Airport and Ørsted.
“Despite the current challenges faced by the aviation sector, it is good to see Edinburgh Airport preparing for a sustainable future. It is critical that businesses and other organisations at least match Scotland’s statutory targets and our ambition to create a net zero economy. This project has real potentialin that regard and I look forward to hearing more about it and seeing it develop.”
