Mohamed Attia and Mohamed Abo el-Soud
The Cairo International Airport is going green as it will be operated by solar energy within the framework of the state’s efforts to protect the environment and reduce carbon footprint.
Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad and Minister of Civil Aviation Mohamed Abbas , inaugurated yesterday a solar power plant at the Cairo International Airport. Alicandro Frakisti, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt, attended the inauguration ceremony.
The project was implemented in tandem with the UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Abbas said all Egyptian airports would be eco-friendly in order to achieve sustainable development goals and protect the environment. He added that the solar plant at the Cairo airport will operate at a 300-kilowatt capacity.
This pioneering project, he stressed, will positively affect the image of Cairo Airport as it goes in line with the global trend of airports aiming at relying on new energies, especially renewables.
Meanwhile, Minister Fouad said that her ministry is giving a paramount priority to integrate the environmental dimensions into the civil aviation sector to develop more sustainable airports.
The scheme is meant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save electricity and underscore commitment to sustainable energy, Fouad added.
For his part, Alicandro Frakisti stated: “Cairo International Airport will be a guiding model for all private and public facilities in integrating and improving energy efficiency with renewable energies.”
