Moving towards sustainable aviation, Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) has partnered with CS Energy to power two of Australia’s busiest airports with 100 per cent renewable energy.
As of January 1, 2025, Gold Coast and Townsville airports have transitioned to green energy, marking a significant milestone in the Australian aviation industry’s journey towards Net Zero emissions.
The seven-year agreement between QAL and CS Energy will harness renewable energy projects across regional Queensland to meet the airports’ annual energy needs of 30GWh.
This clean energy will power all airport operations, from lighting and air conditioning to escalators and charging stations.
CS Energy CEO Darren Busine highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating: “As a proud Queensland-owned and based company, CS Energy is excited to partner with QAL on its renewable energy transition. Our customers’ energy needs have evolved, and our business is evolving with them.”
This renewable energy switch aligns with the airports’ master plans for expansion, anticipating increased passenger traffic leading up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Gold Coast and Townsville airports, which currently serve over eight million passengers annually, are projected to double their capacity to 16 million by 2044.
QAL CEO Amelia Evans highlighted the environmental significance of this move: “Our airports operate in the natural landscape of their regions.
“This includes the Great Barrier Reef in Townsville, the Gold Coast’s incredible beaches, and the Cobaki environmental precinct.
“We are looking to be environmental stewards in the regions that we serve.”
This transition to renewable energy is a crucial step in QAL’s ambitious Net Zero 2030 target.
By switching to green power, the airports will offset nearly 90 per cent of their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, based on their FY23 carbon footprint.
As the aviation industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact, this initiative by QAL and CS Energy sets a new standard for sustainable airport operations in Australia.
It demonstrates that even as air travel continues to grow, innovative solutions can pave the way for a greener future in aviation.
