Rome airport slashes CO2 emissions with new PV farm

Italy

ROME, January 21, 2025 – Aeroporti di Roma (ADR), the operator of Rome’s Fiumicino airport, has inaugurated a 22-MWp solar farm to power its operations, the company announced on Monday.

Touted as one of the largest installations in the world within the perimeter of an airport, the array is made up of about 55,000 silicon panels that will allow the airport to produce more than 30 million kWh of electricity per year.

The new solar farm will immediately eliminate 11,000 tonnes from the airport’s annual carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, it will improve the airport’s energy independence and protect it from price volatility in power markets. ADR plans to expand the installation and reach a capacity of 60 MWp in the next five years.

“The energy independence that this new project ensures for our airport will significantly reduce the environmental impact of our operations, in line with the sustainable development model that we have been building for years – a model representing the first and essential prerequisite for the growth of the airport, the region and the whole country,” said Marco Troncone, CEO of ADR.

Designed by ADR and built by Italian utility Enel in collaboration with energy infrastructure and telecommunication company Circet, the solar farm has commanded investments of approximately EUR 50 million.