Helsinki Airport commits to national energy-saving campaign

Posted: 1 November 2022 | International Airport Review | No comments yet

“We are taking part in the national energy-saving campaign ‘Down a Degree’ to ensure that there will be enough energy for everyone in Finland next winter. Finavia has a large number of buildings at its airports, which makes it possible to save significant amounts of electricity through smart and efficient energy use,” commented Henri Hansson, Senior Vice President, Airport Infrastructure, Sustainability, Safety, Security & Compliance at Finavia.

Finavia has drawn up an energy-saving plan in which the most important measures are to reduce indoor temperatures and electricity consumption by various means.

“Our goal is to save an amount of energy equivalent to the annual consumption of nearly 400 detached houses with electric heating.”

In recent years, Finavia has been investing in energy efficiency and energy economics. Solar panels have been installed on the roofs and walls of buildings and are utilised as one source of electricity. At Helsinki Airport (HEL), the glass windows reflect heat back outwards, which reduces the need for mechanical cooling in warm weather.

“Finavia uses 100 per cent wind electricity at all 20 of its airports, combined with solar electricity at Helsinki Airport. In addition, half of the airports are heated using fully renewable energy, and vehicles run on renewable fuels,” added Hansson.

Attention has also been paid to saving electricity in parking halls. The renewed LED lights are controlled by motion sensors, which means that the lights in the halls only turn on when needed. Electric cars are charged with electricity generated by solar panels.

All Finavia’s airports have been carbon neutral since 2019.