The new facility will significantly lower carbon emissions and reduce costs

Edmonton International Airport (EIA) has brought its new natural gas cogeneration facility online which will provide both electricity and heat while reducing its environmental impact.

According to the operator, the new power plant will reduce annual carbon emissions by approximately 20% or 7,000-8,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per year, roughly the same as taking 2,400 vehicles off the road. Once fully operational the facility will also reduce energy costs by roughly $800,000 (£465,000) annually.

By taking the heat generated during the production of electricity the airport can more efficiently heat its buildings.

The total estimated cost of the project was $11 million, with $1.685m of that coming from the Government of Alberta with the facility becoming a key part of the region’s economic recovery plan, creating jobs and bringing lasting community improvements.

Tom Ruth, president and CEO of EIA, commented: “We’re pleased to announce the installation of our cogeneration plant as it will offer critical reductions in CO2e for our EIA airport sustainability campus. We couldn’t have done it without our partners, the Government of Alberta and ATCO, and we’re thankful for their support.”

This project joins other green initiatives by the airport including a 120-megawatt solar farm planned to be operational by 2022 and EIA becoming the first airport in the world to join The Climate Pledge initiative, committing it to be carbon neutral by 2040.