The operator has been expanding its presence within the Algarve region with easyJet also launching its new base at Faro

VINCI Airports has further expanded its partnership with the Algarve region by launching a new solar plant at Faro Airport.

It is set to supply the area with 30% of its electricity needs – generating a potential saving of 1,500 tonnes of CO2. The airport operator has financed, developed and built the new facility and will begin to operate it in 2022.

“VINCI Airports is proud to be launching a new phase in Faro airport’s development today, alongside the Portuguese authorities,” said Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions. “Together, we are placing the recovery of Portugal’s tourism under the banner of environmental progress”

VINCI has been establishing partnerships with environmental companies within the region, such as the Centre for Marine Sciences at the University of Algarve. According to the group, it has achieved a 13% decrease in carbon emissions of the country’s airport network between 2018 and 2020.

The Faro solar plant is part the global action plan by the organisation across all 45 airports in 12 countries. Similar projects have been set up in the Dominican Republic, Brazil, the UK, Serbia, Sweden, France and Portugal.

On June 1, easyJet launched operations at its new base at the Algarve facility as a result of a joint venture between the airline, VINCI and the Portuguese tourism authorities.