Two regional Queensland airports turn to solar to cut energy costs, “protect the reef”

Two key regional airports on Queensland’s east coast are reducing their energy usage and slashing emissions through the installation of new rooftop solar systems. 

The Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA) in Marcoola on the eponymous Sunshine Coast completed a new rooftop solar project consisting of 320 solar panels on the terminal roof. 

The new 190.24kW system is expected to help reduce energy consumption in the single airport terminal by 17 per cent, an important step towards the airport’s goal of achieving 50 per cent renewable energy use by 2030. 

“Harnessing solar energy is a crucial step on our sustainability journey,” said Chris Mills, CEO of SCA.

“This project will help reduce our carbon footprint and lower the airport’s energy consumption.

“All energy generated through the rooftop solar will be used to power the main Terminal and there is room to grow the project following the future domestic terminal expansion.”

The Sunshine Coast project was followed last week by an announcement from the Rockhampton Regional Council that a $2.4 million, 967kW solar system was being installed at the Rockhampton Airport Terminal. 

Backed by grant funding from the Australian government’s Reef Trust and the Rockhampton Regional Council, the new behind-the-meter solar system will save up to 1,600 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) per year, though the Council did not say how much the system is expected to reduce the airport’s grid energy usage. 

The new solar system is intended to align with Council’s Reef Action Plan through the Reef Guardian Councils initiative and with the Australian and Queensland governments Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan objective of “limiting impacts of climate change”.

Specifically, the Reef Guardian Council program recognises the role of local and regional approaches to protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef and the communities it supports. 

The Rockhampton Airport solar system is expected to be completed some time in 2026. 

“This is a critical project for Council that will help us reduce our grid energy consumption and save on emissions,” said Tony Williams, Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor. 

“We know that Rockhampton Airport is Council’s second highest energy consumer amongst our many sites and facilities; and so, to have this solar project going in to help offset what we are drawing from the grid while at the same time helping to tackle the impacts of climate change and protect the reef is a great thing.”