Athens International Airport receives European green award for energy saving performance
Mon 12 May 2008 – In recognition of energy efficiency savings made in its buildings and facilities, Athens International Airport has been presented with the GreenBuilding Award 2008 by the European Commission. The airport has been implementing energy saving measures since 2003 and joined the EC’s GreenBuilding programme in 2006.
The objective of the programme is to raise awareness and stimulate energy efficiency investment in non-residential buildings.
Through reductions in power consumption of air-conditioning, ventilation and lighting, in 2006 the airport saved 3,750 MWh compared to 2005 (-9.0%) and 2,921 MWh (-4.7%) compared to 2006. In terms of emissions, the reductions saved 3,560 tonnes of CO2 in 2006 and 2,775 tonnes in 2007. This is despite a 9.7% increase in the number of passengers handled in 2007 compared to the previous year.
Total electricity consumption during 2006 decreased by 1.3% in comparison to 2005, mainly due to efforts such as fine-tuning the central lighting and air-conditioning controls. The average electricity consumption per passenger has decreased consistently since 2003 due to the application of energy-saving measures.
Average electricity consumption per passenger
A pilot photovoltaic unit has been operating at the airport’s suburban railway station since 2004, an initiative of the Asset Management Department with the support of a group of sponsors. The installation produces 1,200 kWh of electricity on average per month. The electricity produced supports the building’s lighting systems and it is estimated that 14 tonnes of CO2 emissions are avoided annually.
The airport became the first Greek company to receive the European Commission’s GreenLight Award for the implementation of a series of energy efficient measures in lighting. The Environmental Services Department implements an Environmental Management System that is certified to the international environmental standard ISO 14001:2004.