Bristol Airport has installed a £10 million renewable energy centre that will replace gas boilers and significantly reduce carbon emissions ahead of its 2030 net zero target.
The £10 million project will help Bristol Airport reduce emissions while supporting its commitment to achieving net zero operations by 2030.
Bristol Airport (BRS) has taken another major step towards achieving net zero operations with the installation of a new £10 million renewable energy centre that will provide low-carbon heating and cooling for its terminal buildings.
The modular energy centre, which arrived on site this week, will generate, store and distribute thermal energy to heat the airport’s existing terminal and future terminal extensions during the winter while supplying cooling throughout the summer. Once fully operational, the system will enable Bristol Airport to become one of the first airports in the UK to replace conventional gas boilers with a renewable heating solution.
Manufactured off site over the past four months, the energy centre was delivered in four steel-framed modules, each transported under police escort because of their size and weight. The largest sections weighed 17 tonnes and measured more than four metres wide and 12 metres long before being lifted into position using a 200-tonne crane.
Bristol Airport renewable energy centre supports net zero ambitions
Since March, engineering teams have been laying underground pipework to connect the new facility with the airport’s terminal heating and cooling network. The plant room will house pumps, valves and pipework that will distribute heated and chilled water throughout the terminal buildings.
The renewable energy system will use 22 air source heat pumps alongside a single electric boiler, which will provide additional capacity during periods of peak demand. Bristol Airport estimates the installation will reduce carbon emissions by around 625 tonnes of CO2 equivalent each year, the equivalent of removing approximately 135 passenger vehicles from the road annually.
Hannah Pollard, Head of Sustainability at Bristol Airport, said: “It’s incredible to see the energy centre being lifted into position today, considering work began just four months ago. Although a modular design, it’s a complex build and another major milestone for Bristol Airport.”
She added: “Bristol was the first Airport to commit to net zero operations by 2030 and to ensure we remain on track, we set ourselves an interim target of reducing carbon emissions by 73% compared to pre pandemic levels. This demonstrates the Airport’s commitment to lowering its carbon footprint.”
The airport already operates heat pumps at several locations across its campus, including Aviation House, Lulsgate House, the air traffic control tower and other operational facilities. The new energy centre will be located close to the Hampton by Hilton hotel, with additional pipework and heat pumps due to be installed over the summer.
The project forms part of Bristol Airport’s wider decarbonisation strategy, which focuses on reducing emissions through renewable energy, electrifying operational vehicles and improving the energy efficiency of airport infrastructure.
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