Western Sydney Airport to Operate on 100% Renewable Energy
Australia’s latest addition to its aviation landscape, the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, is set to run entirely on renewable electricity. The airport is being equipped with a significant rooftop solar installation and a large battery, making it a pioneering facility in terms of sustainable energy use.
Situated on the outskirts of Sydney, this will be the first new airport in Australia in over 50 years. It aims to incorporate renewable energy for all its operational needs, alongside establishing an “almost” fully electrified fleet of ground support vehicles to minimise carbon footprint.
Investment in Renewable Energy Infrastructure
The renewable energy solution is being provided by CleanPeak Energy, an Australian-owned energy firm, which is committing over $50 million towards a new 9 MWp solar system, complementing an existing 4.5 MW solar array, along with a 30 MW/120 MWh battery storage system. This initiative is expected to generate over 18 GWh of renewable electricity annually, covering all of the airport’s energy needs right from the start.
As the demands for electricity from the airport increase, CleanPeak plans to expand its solar farm developments across New South Wales to meet the projected requirement of over 100 GWh per year necessary for airport operations.
Solar Infrastructure and Energy Storage
The solar panels will be installed on both the existing cargo terminal and a second cargo terminal rooftop. The battery energy storage system (BESS), which boasts a capacity of 30 MW and can store 120 MWh, is anticipated to commence operation next year, conveniently located next to the current substation on-site.
CleanPeak Energy’s CEO, Philip Graham, remarked, “This project exemplifies how vital infrastructure can transition to renewable energy while maintaining reliability and performance. It highlights the potential of large-scale energy infrastructure to be designed, financed, and operated cohesively for critical assets like airports.”
CleanPeak began supplying renewable electricity to the airport on 1st May 2026, marking a significant stride for the facility.
Partnership and Electrification of Ground Support Equipment
Additionally, WSI has partnered with Freightquip, a supplier based in Melbourne, which will deliver and manage an almost entirely electrified fleet of ground support equipment (GSE) that addresses the full spectrum of airport requirements. This fleet includes essential machinery such as belt loaders, cargo loaders, baggage tractors, and pushback vehicles.
Simon Hickey, CEO of WSI, shared that 34 electric chargers have already been installed to facilitate ‘sustainable ground operations’. He added that by integrating GSE pooling with a predominantly electric fleet, WSI is enhancing its ground operations while boosting fleet utilisation and safety, ultimately aiming to reduce environmental impacts.
