Thessaloniki's "Makedonia" airport has begun operating the first photovoltaic park installed at a regional airport in Greece, marking the start of Fraport Greece's decarbonisation plan across its network of 14 airports.
According to the company, the solar park covers 35,000 square metres and has an installed capacity of 3 MWp. It consists of 4,877 photovoltaic panels and eight inverters, with an estimated annual electricity production of 4.5 GWh. During the winter months, the installation is expected to cover around 30% of the airport's energy needs, with this share increasing in the summer period.
Fraport Greece states that the project, which required an investment of €3.395 million, could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 3,000 tonnes annually. The projected electricity output is described as equivalent to the yearly energy needs of around 1,100 households. Construction began on 6 March 2025 and was completed on 3 December of the same year, with the project fully financed by the company.
Speaking at a presentation, Fraport Greece Chief Technical Officer Sergio Ocampo said the installation "sets new standards for regional aviation infrastructure" and represents the first step in a five-year decarbonisation plan.
This plan includes the rollout of additional photovoltaic systems and battery storage infrastructure, particularly on islands, as well as electric vehicle charging stations across the company's airport network. The next planned installation is expected to be in Kavala.
Ocampo also stated that while the European Commission and industry stakeholders are targeting net-zero carbon emissions in aviation by 2050, Fraport has committed to reaching this goal by 2045 and is "already halfway there". He added that one of the aims of the investment programme is to reduce exposure to energy price volatility.
From a technical perspective, Head of Design and Construction Kostas Nikoloudis said that specialised studies were conducted before installation, including assessments of panel reflectivity and potential interference with aeronautical systems, to ensure that airport operations would not be affected.
The solar park is located away from the main terminal, near the 113 Combat Wing. According to the company, the airport continues to rely on the national grid during nighttime hours, while the photovoltaic system supplies energy during daylight.
