Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, has unveiled its plans to improve its carbon efficiency by 30% by 2030, when compared with 2015 figures of 5.6kg (12.3 lb) of CO₂ per passenger.
To achieve this, the airport plans to implement a series of initiatives to help save energy and optimize the consumption of fuel. This includes modifications to lighting, heating, ventilation and cooling systems, that when combined, could save up to 4,462,600 kWh energy per year.
Other initiatives include replacing the existing high pressure sodium (HSP) apron flood lights and metal halide light fittings in the airport’s passenger terminal transfer area with light emitting diodes (LED), which will save an estimated 2,613,500 kWh energy per year.
Another example includes the installation of “speed doors” at vehicular entrances to airport buildings, such as baggage handling areas. These doors help to contain cooled air within the building, reducing the energy burden on cooling systems.
Hamad Airport also plans to incorporate energy efficiency into its terminal extension plans, including the implementation of 36,000ft of photovoltaic cells, forecast to generate up to 2,885 MWh energy per year. Hamad’s Airport Vehicle Programme will also look to improve the efficiency of more than 2,000 vehicles operating airside.
To kick start its efforts, the airport renewed its Level 1 Mapping status as part of the Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation program. The new measures will help Hamad International to climb the four levels of the ACI program on the way to achieving carbon neutrality.
Badr Mohammed Al Meer, chief operating officer, Hamad International Airport, said, “At Hamad International Airport, we believe in our environmental responsibility and are committed to tackling climate change as a core component of our business strategy. It is in our best interest to develop a sustainable future for our airport by effectively managing the environmental impacts of our operations.
“The ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program provides an ideal structure for us to plan and monitor the progress of our carbon program, and to benchmark our approach against other world leading airports. We’re actively pursuing the higher levels of Airport Carbon Accreditation by engaging all airport stakeholders to continually reduce energy demand through new technology and improved operational practices and by considering further investments in low carbon energy generation.”
