Bucharest Airports National Company invests in a photovoltaic power plant for the own consumption of Henri Coanda Airport

The National Company Bucharest Airports is undergoing an accelerated process of modernization of airport infrastructure, implementing strategic projects aimed at increasing operational efficiency, strengthening energy autonomy, and aligning with international sustainability standards.

In this context, CNAB has started the implementation of a strategic project to produce electricity from renewable sources for the own consumption of Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport. The project has an estimated total value of RON 283,765,450 (excluding VAT) and involves the construction of a photovoltaic power plant with a planned total capacity of 31.5 MWp, integrated with an energy storage system of 30 MWh.

The project is designed in stages, correlated with current energy demand and future developments of the airport infrastructure. The first stage provides for the construction of a photovoltaic power plant with an installed capacity of 12.6 MWp and an energy storage system of 17.88 MWh, connected to the airport’s 20 kV power plant.

For this stage, the National Company Bucharest Airports submitted the project for financing under the program “Supporting investments in new electricity generation capacities from renewable sources for the self-consumption of aerodromes, including energy storage systems,” financed by the Modernisation Fund and managed by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. The financing contract has already been signed.

The total value of Stage 1 is RON 176,877,573 (excluding VAT), of which RON 132,044,800 (excluding VAT) represents eligible non-reimbursable financing, the difference being covered from CNAB’s own funds, corresponding to non-eligible expenses and VAT.

“This project represents an essential step in the extensive modernization process of Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport. Investments in energy production from renewable sources directly contribute to increasing the airport’s energy autonomy, reducing operational costs, and minimizing environmental impact, in full accordance with European standards and the sustainability objectives assumed by the company,” stated Bogdan Mindrescu, General Director of the National Company Bucharest Airports.

The implementation of Stage 1 constitutes the first concrete step in a strategic project that will ensure, in the medium and long term, both the reduction of carbon emissions and the maintenance of operational safety and continuity for the critical national infrastructure of Henri Coanda Airport.

CNAB’s efforts in the field of environmental protection are also recognized at the European level. Recently, Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport obtained Level 3 accreditation under the Airport Carbon Accreditation program, run by ACI Europe. According to the accreditation certificate, this distinction confirms the airport’s exemplary activity in managing and reducing CO₂ emissions, as well as the involvement of other entities in this effort, as a response of the global airport industry to the challenges of climate change.