Construction of solar power plant starts in Eskisehir to supply energy to Istanbul Airport

Istanbul Airport will become the first airport in the world to cover all its electricity consumption with solar energy, Report informs referring to Anadolu Agency.

The operating company of IGA Havalimani Isletmesi A.S. began construction of a solar power plant with a capacity of 199.32 MW in the city of Eskisehir on an area of about 3 million square meters.

The construction of the solar power plant is planned to be completed by the end of 2024. As part of the project, 439,000 photovoltaic panels will be installed at the solar power plant. It is expected that the plant will annually generate 340 million kWh of solar energy, which will fully cover the electricity needs of Istanbul Airport.

“Thus, Istanbul Airport will become the first airport in the world that will cover all its electricity consumption using solar energy. The cost of the project is estimated at 212 million euros, the solar power plant is planned to be put into operation at the end of this year,” the agency notes.

Acting General Director of IGA Havalimani Isletmesi A.S. Selahattin Bilgen said the company developed the Eskisehir solar power plant project as part of its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“We want to mitigate the important and alarming consequences of global warming and climate change around the world. Through the construction of this solar power plant, we will prevent greenhouse emissions equivalent to 105, 996 tons of carbon dioxide. The project is extremely important for the widespread use of clean energy,” he noted.

Istanbul Airport is the biggest airport in Türkiye and Europe. The international airport was put into operation in April 2019.