Decarbonization of airports, solar power, etc. will be intensively introduced by 2030. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism guidelines
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has developed guidelines for promoting decarbonization of airports. The promotion of the introduction of solar power has also been included, and the goal of increasing the total renewable energy power generation capacity of airports nationwide to 2.3 million kW has been clarified.
Promote decarbonization at airports
Consideration of carports and rooftops
On March 31, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced the "Guidelines for Formulating Plans for Promoting Airport Decarbonization," which had been under consideration since last year. In line with the government's goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 46% by 2030 and the 6th Basic Energy Plan, we would like to greatly accelerate the decarbonization of airports.
The newly developed guidelines are designed to make it easier for operators promoting airport decarbonization to make plans. When decarbonizing airports, it is required to promote energy conservation while focusing on the introduction of renewable energy, and to reduce CO2 emissions from airport vehicles and aircraft themselves.
The target for 2030 is the same level of reduction as the national target, which is to reduce CO2 emissions at each airport by 46% compared to 2013. The goal was also to increase the total amount of renewable energy introduced to all airports to 2.3 million kW and to increase CO2 emissions from airport facilities and airport vehicles to 300,000 tons per year.
(Image of promotion of decarbonization of airports. Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
Intensive solar introduction toward 2030
Utilize self-consignment and off-site PPA
Regarding the introduction of solar power generation at airports, it was stated that "while considering the introduction of solar power generation into flat places, carports, buildings (roofs), etc., intensive introduction will be promoted until 2030." As an introduction scheme, a method of utilizing the PPA model has been proposed in addition to the method of installing by airport personnel themselves.
Furthermore, in order to use solar power generation efficiently, a means of exchanging surplus electricity between multiple airports was also presented. Off-site PPA utilizing self-consignment and retail electricity companies is said to be appropriate for accommodating surplus electricity.
In the 6th Basic Energy Plan revised in October 2021, one of the efforts for decarbonization of airports is "Promote efforts such as reduction of CO2 emissions of airport facilities and airport vehicles, and regenerate airports. We will consider and start measures to make it a possible energy base and promote public-private partnership efforts. " In response to this, this guideline also assumes that a council composed of airport-related businesses will be the main body for decarbonization of airports.
The formulation of these guidelines is expected to dramatically accelerate the decarbonization of airports centered on solar power generation toward FY2030.
