Bucharest Airport to Boost Energy Self-Sufficiency with Major Solar Power Project
Bucharest, The Gulf Observer: Bucharest’s main international gateway, Henri Coandă International Airport, is set to significantly strengthen its energy self-sufficiency and environmental sustainability through a large-scale solar power investment, the National Company Bucharest Airports (CNAB) announced.
Under the project, CNAB will develop a photovoltaic power plant with a total planned capacity of 31.5 megawatt-peak (MWp), complemented by an energy storage system of 30 megawatt-hours (MWh), aimed at covering a substantial portion of the airport’s electricity consumption.
The initiative will be implemented in phases, aligned with current energy requirements and the airport’s anticipated future expansion. The first phase предусматривает installation of a 12.6 MWp solar power plant alongside a 17.88 MWh energy storage unit, which will be connected to the airport’s 20 kilovolt electrical network.
Financing for the initial stage has already been secured through a programme managed by Romania’s Ministry of Transport and supported by the European Union’s Modernisation Fund. The total cost of the first phase is estimated at approximately RON 176.9 million, of which around RON 132 million will be covered by non-reimbursable funding, while the remaining amount will be financed from CNAB’s own resources.
CNAB General Director Bogdan Mîndrescu said the project represents a key milestone in the broader modernisation of Henri Coandă International Airport. He noted that the investment will enhance energy autonomy, reduce operational costs, and significantly lower the airport’s environmental footprint, in line with European sustainability standards.
The solar power project forms part of a long-term strategy to cut emissions, ensure safe and continuous airport operations, and support Romania’s transition toward renewable energy, particularly within critical national infrastructure.
