Newcastle Airport signs up to go 100% renewable, seven years early

Newcastle Airport will look to hit its 100% renewable energy target this year – seven years ahead of schedule – under a new energy purchase agreement with major renewable energy retailer Flow Power.

The energy plan took effect in January this year, and will support the airport’s operations for the next eight years.

“Newcastle Airport is expanding to deliver growth to the Hunter region, and sustainability is key to everything we do,” said Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock.

“We’re delighted to partner with Flow Power. By offsetting grid consumption with green generation certificates, they’ll help us significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and help us achieve our 100% renewable energy strategy well ahead of our 2030 target.”

Executive general manager of aviation Shane de Wit said the engagement with Flow would help make Newcastle Airport a leader in the green transition.

“Flow Power’s flexibility and efforts have empowered the airport to become a leader in environmental sustainability, both in the aviation industry and in the Hunter Region.

“We have a commitment to achieving net zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions by no later than 2030, and our partnership with Flow Power will support us in achieving these sustainability goals.

“The new agreement provides us with the ability to develop local renewable energy and offset any remaining demand with green generation certificates from off-site renewable energy sources, including exploring future renewable wind projects when they become available.”

This latest agreement builds on earlier initiatives from the airport, including installing 99kWh of solar in 2021 which provided 3.9% of the airport’s energy demands and reduced its carbon footprint by more than 75 tonnes.

In addition, the airport’s new covered car park will feature an array of 1,212 solar panels, meeting more than 30% of the airport’s energy needs.

Astra Aerolab, Australia’s newest defence and aerospace precinct based at Newcastle Airport, has been designed with a successful 5-star Green Building rating assessment from Green Building Council Australia.

Flow Power has been a major force behind several renewable projects and agreements in Australia, with 863GWh of clean energy generated per annum, 48% of which was wind and 52% solar.

The company’s existing and planned projects include nine solar farms, five wind farms, and three combined solar farms with battery energy storage, spanning Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. Its Coonalpyn Solar Farm powers the City of Adelaide with renewable energy.