THE Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) is stepping up efforts towards transforming the country’s international airports to become smart and green with plans to construct solar plants as part of its commitment to sustainable environmental practices.
The company has also put all hands on deck towards achieving Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), the only institutionally endorsed global carbon management certification for airports that demonstrates commitment to managing and reducing carbon emissions.
ACZ public relations and communications manager, Mr Tonderai Mangombe said plans are already at an advanced stage towards installing the solar plants.
“ACZ is deeply committed to sustainable environmental practices. In line with this commitment, the company is planning to install solar farms at the three major airports under its management.
“These solar farms will not only provide a renewable source of energy for airport operations but will also generate surplus energy that can be fed into the national grid, thereby contributing to the country’s overall energy sustainability,” said Mr Mangombe.
He said the three airports earmarked for the installation of the solar plants are Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, the Joshua Mqabuko International Airport and the Victoria Falls International Airport with the company having already advertised their expression of interest amongst other procedures.
Mr Mangombe further noted that the company seeks to enhance its management and reduction of carbon emissions through the seven levels of certification under the Airport Carbon Accreditation process.
“Moreover, ACZ is actively working towards achieving Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), a globally recognised certification that demonstrates an airport’s commitment to managing and reducing its carbon emissions.
“This accreditation will further solidify ACZ’s dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainable development in the aviation industry,” said Mr Mangombe.
He said ACZ recognises the remarkable growth in the aviation sector, especially within the African continent and the surge in aviation activities will mean an increased carbon footprint.
Mr Mangombe said the growth in aviation activities has prompted ACZ to embark on a comprehensive infrastructure development campaign aimed at enhancing the capacity and efficiency of its airports with a prime example of this initiative being the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport development project, which has seen the airport’s facilities and services upgraded to meet the increasing demand.
“The airport capacity (RGM International Airport) has been increased from 2.5 million to 6 million passengers per annum with additional and modern passenger facilitation equipment.
“In addition to this, ACZ is making substantial progress on the Victoria Falls International Airport whose upgrading is now at an advanced stage. This project is designed to improve the airport’s ability to handle and uplift food supplies, thereby supporting both local and international food logistics,” said Mr Mangombe.
The development comes at a time when Government has encouraged various entities to shift towards renewable energy with large-scale miners specifically given up to 2026 to establish their power generation plants amid projections that sustained economic growth under the Second Republic will push demand for power to above 3 000 megawatts in two years.