Bristol Airport begins major terminal decarbonisation work as part of plans to be net zero by 2030

Bristol Airport is investing £10 million into a new state of the art energy centre that will remove gas boilers from the terminal.

The Airport was the first UK airport to commit to net zero operations by 2030 and will now lead the way to decarbonise its terminal and be one of the first UK airports to remove gas boilers.

The new energy centre will produce, store and distribute low carbon energy to heat and cool the main terminal buildings, and the terminal extensions.

Swapping gas boilers for air source heat pumps at this scale is largely unprecedented and will involve 22 air source heat pumps and 1 electric boiler. The transition will save c. 625 tonnes of co2e annually, which is the equivalent of taking 135 passenger vehicles off the road for an entire year and is also the same amount of energy used in 77 homes.

Currently, gas represents 45% of the airport’s scope 1 emissions, which are emissions owned by the Airport and around 17% of its total operational footprint (scope 1 and 2), which also includes electricity consumed and procured by the Airport.

Hannah Pollard, Head of Sustainability at Bristol Airport said: “This is a true milestone for Bristol Airport and is testament to the Airport’s commitment to lowering its carbon footprint.

“Decarbonising buildings is one of the three key pillars to achieving net zero operations by 2030, alongside our transition to electric vehicles and investing in renewable energy.”

Three years ago, the Airport produced its sustainability strategy and set itself an interim target for 2027 to reduce carbon emissions by 73%, compared to pre pandemic levels in 2019. It already has heat pumps in place serving Lulsgate House and Aviation House where staff are based, Silver Zone car park reception, the car rentals building and the air traffic control tower.

The new project will see pipes laid underground to transport energy and connect to the terminal basement, with work set to begin this spring. While a complex build, the modular design is relatively straight-forward and will be built off site and installed near the Hampton by Hilton hotel in the early Autumn with completion expected before winter.

Hannah added: “We want to continue to be at the forefront in this area and help spearhead change, which is also why we have our Aviation Carbon Transition (ACT) programme in place. We’re incredibly proud to support the development of ground-breaking technology.”

The ACT programme is a fund to kick start and fast track decarbonisation initiatives in the South West focusing on Scope 3 emissions, which are indirect emissions from flight and transport at Bristol Airport.

It provides individual grants to organisations developing technology that could help the aviation industry transition to zero carbon emission flight. The annual fund is £150,000.

Last year the Airport also set up a sortation centre where all rubbish from the terminal is sorted by hand, on site, to ensure it can be recycled rather than end up in landfill. The target for 2026 was 70% and by the end of last year the Airport reached 74%. Recycled items include plastic bottles, coffee cups, cans, cardboard, glass and food waste.

As part of the energy centre project, the Airport has also upgraded and relocated its bicycle parking facilities to make them more convenient, secure, and accessible for both colleagues and customers.

The new bicycle parking area is located between both multi-storey car parks and opposite the lift entrance on the ground floor. It offers 25% more space, brand-new cycle maintenance equipment, and is fully sheltered, well-lit, and monitored by CCTV for added peace of mind.

For now, cyclists can access the parking through the short-stay car park and follow the signposted path to the north of multi-storey car park 1. A new walking and cycling route from the A38 will also be constructed via the former long-stay car park as part of ongoing improvements. For more information and a map, search bicycle parking on the Airport’s website.