Townsville, Gold Coast airports to be powered by renewable energy

Two of Australia’s busiest airports – Townsville and Gold Coast – have made a New Year’s pledge to switch to 100 per cent renewable energy.

CS Energy CEO Darren Busine and Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans. Ms Evans said its collaboration with the Queensland-owned and based energy company showed its commitment to decarbonising its operations at Gold Coast and Townsville Airports. Picture: Supplied

Two of Australia’s busiest airports – Townsville and Gold Coast – have made a New Year’s pledge to switch to 100 per cent renewable energy.

CS Energy, a Queensland-owned and based energy company, and Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) confirmed that electricity generated by renewable projects in regional Queensland would power operations at the key airports as of January 1.

CS Energy CEO Darren Busine said the agreement was a leap forward for the Australian aviation industry in efforts to hit Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions and for sustainable tourism.

He said his business was evolving to meet its customer’s changing energy needs.

“As our customers work towards meeting their decarbonisation goals and navigating the energy transition, companies like ours have to be responsive to their changing needs, and be able to provide new innovations, new products and new technologies to support them,” he said.

“We are delighted to be part of Queensland Airports Limited’s journey towards their net zero targets.”

CS Energy’s renewable energy projects that include Kennedy Energy Park and solar farms at Columboola, Hughenden and Moura will help generate the 30GWh needed to fully power both airports, from lighting and air conditioning to escalators and charging stations.

The renewable energy switch is part of the new master plans for both airports, which are set for major expansions to support expected passenger growth in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

QAL CEO Amelia Evans said the collaboration with CS Energy was another step to lessen the airports’ environmental footprint as it continued to support “increased connectivity, tourism and trade”.

“We are looking to be environmental stewards in the regions that we serve, and this includes what we do to preserve our natural environment on a day-to-day basis.”

Originally published as Townsville, Gold Coast airports to be powered by renewable energy