iGA Istanbul Airport reaches major renewable energy milestone with Eskişehir Solar Power Plant

junio 30, 2026

iGA Istanbul Airport, currently accredited at Level 4 of Airport Carbon Accreditation, has reached a significant milestone on its decarbonisation journey by meeting 100% of its electricity needs from solar energy through its Eskişehir Solar Power Plant.

The facility is one of the largest renewable energy investments in the global aviation sector, with a total installed capacity of 240 MW and an investment value of €220 million. Covering approximately 3 million square metres, the plant has been developed as a key component of the airport’s long term energy transition strategy.

As of 2026, iGA Istanbul Airport operates entirely on renewable electricity, making it one of the few major airports globally to achieve full coverage of its operational electricity demand through solar power. The Eskişehir Solar Power Plant alone generated energy equivalent to 54% of the airport’s annual electricity consumption within its first five months of operation.

The project is expected to prevent approximately 212,800 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. Over its 25 year lifetime, this is estimated to correspond to the carbon sequestration capacity of around 517 million Calabrian pine trees.

Alongside this achievement, the airport has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 27.8% compared to its 2019 baseline. It is now reported to be 30 to 40% ahead of its 2050 net zero emissions roadmap, reflecting accelerated progress in its decarbonisation pathway.

iGA Istanbul Airport has also increased its 2030 renewable energy target from 50% to 90%, reinforcing its long term commitment to clean energy integration across its operations.

By sourcing electricity from a dedicated offsite solar facility, the airport has been able to preserve the architectural design of the terminal while fully decoupling its operational electricity demand from fossil fuels. This approach has been enabled by Türkiye’s regulatory framework allowing remote renewable energy sourcing.

The achievement further strengthens iGA Istanbul Airport’s position within Airport Carbon Accreditation as it continues to advance its carbon management strategy and contribute to wider sectoral progress towards net zero aviation.