ENGIE and Inframerica will supply renewable energy to aircraft at Brasília airport
A global leader in energy and solutions, ENGIE and Inframerica, the concessionaire for Brasília Airport, have signed a unique agreement for the supply of energy from renewable sources to aircraft parked on the airport terminal apron.
This innovative solution designed by ENGIE provides for the installation of equipment in 22 jet bridges at the airport in order to maintain electrical and air conditioning systems running in stationary aircraft.
Currently, the electrical system and air conditioning of the aircraft are supplied by external diesel generators, known as GPUs (Ground Power Units), or by auxiliary kerosene powered units installed in the aircraft itself. “The new solution reduces the carbon footprint, eliminates the use of this equipment on the terminal apron, rendering the process more secure, with fewer obstacles to vehicle maneuvering and manpower as well as improving the acoustics of the operation. In this way we seek to demonstrate our commitment with the reduction in greenhouse gases (GHG), reinforcing our actions to ensure a more sustainable operation”, explains Roberto Luiz, Air Business director at Inframerica.
Recently, Brasília Airport was awarded the Gold Seal under the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program (Greenhouse Gas Protocol), which publishes greenhouse gas emissions’ inventories (GHG). The Airports Council International (ACI) has also recognized the Brasilia terminal with international carbon control certification.
The principal airlines at Brasília Airport have already signed up to the service. As a result, an annual reduction in emissions of about 20 thousand tons of CO2 at the terminal is expected, equivalent to the planting of more than 120 thousand trees.
“This initiative is in accordance with ENGIE’s ambition of leading the energy transition towards a low carbon economy, helping companies to decarbonize their processes and becoming more sustainable and efficient”, says Leonardo Serpa, CEO of ENGIE Soluções. “In addition, costs will be optimized for the companies, the electric energy prices tending to become more competitive”, the executive adds.
LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP
ENGIE and Brasília Airport are also partners in the supply of renewable energy, an initiative that will become effective from 2022. Serpa says that the company is also negotiating with other airport terminal operators – a strategic segment for the company – electric mobility solutions as well as other services.
Inframerica’s Roberto Luiz notes that the partnership with ENGIE is a long-term one and points out that the aim is to replicate this new project at other airports in the Group both in Brazil as well as abroad.
It is estimated that all the jetways at Brasília Airport will have been adopted for the supply of electricity within 12 months.
About Inframerica
Controlled by Corporación América S/A, Inframerica is the current manager of Brasília and Natal Airports. One of the largest airport operators in the world, the Argentine holding has extensive experience in the sector with dozens of concessions in Latin America and Europe, managing a total of 52 airports. It also has operations in highly competitive markets such as the sectors of agribusiness, energy, infrastructure and technology.
Based on its know-how in airport operations, Corporación joined Consórcio Inframerica to bid for Brazilian airport terminal concessions.
In August 2011, it bid successfully in the first concession auction in Brazil, Inframerica becoming responsible for the construction, maintenance and exploration of the São Gonçalo do Amarante International Airport in the metro region of Natal for a 28-year period, so becoming the first fully privatized airport in Brazil.
About six months later in a new auction in early 2012, the same Consortium was also successful in its bid for the Presidente Juscelino Kubitscheck International Airport concession in Brasília, holding a stake of 51%, for operating, modernizing and expanding the airport site for a 25 year period. Unlike the Natal terminal, in Brasília Infraero is a partner of Inframerica and holds a 49% stake in the concession.
Inframerica has already invested more than R$2 billion in the two airports, increasing the capacity, comfort and efficiency of these important Brazilian air terminals.
ABOUT ENGIE
ENGIE is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. With its 97,000 employees, its customers, partners and stakeholders, the Group is committed to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. Inspired by its purpose (“raison d’être”), ENGIE reconciles economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers. Turnover in 2022: 82.6 billion Euros.
In Brazil, ENGIE, leader in 100% renewable power generation in the country, operates in generation, commercialization and transmission of electric power, gas transport and energy solutions. The Company
has in the country an installed capacity of 12,5 GW, originated from renewable sources and with low GHG emissions, such as hydro, solar and biomass power plants, and windfarms.
With the acquisition of Transportadora Associada de Gás – TAG, ENGIE now also owns the largest natural gas transportation network in the country, at 4,500 km and transecting 10 states and 191 cities.
The Group has a complete portfolio of integrated solutions focused on reducing costs and improving the infrastructure for companies and cities, such as energy efficiency, public lighting, energy monitoring and management.
With 2,800 employees, ENGIE’s turnover in Brazil in 2023 was of R$ 11.7 billion. ENGIE trades on the B3 through its energy generation and trading company, ENGIE Brasil Energia, under the ticker EGIE3. In addition to being a B3 Novo Mercado component, the Company is one of the very few companies that have been listed in the Business Sustainability Index since its creation in 2005. In 2021, ENGIE Brasil Energia was included in the Carbon-Efficient Index (ICO2), made up of IBrX 100 companies that are most transparent in terms of GHG emissions reporting and how they are preparing for a low-carbon economy.
The company also received in May 2024 the certification Great Place to Work, a recognition which validates the continuous commitment of the company to create a positive and inclusive work environment for all.
The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40, Euronext 100, FTSE Euro 100, MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World, Euronext Vigeo Eiris – Europe 120/France 20, MSCI EMU ESG screened, MSCI EUROPE ESG Universal Select, Stoxx Europe 600 ESG-X).