Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE) has commissioned new electric infrastructure as part of a 15 million EUR programme aimed at lowering emissions linked to ground operations.
The project was delivered by Aéroports du Grand Ouest (AGO), a VINCI Airports subsidiary, undertaking 15 months of construction work.
The installation includes 12 electrified aircraft stands and 100 additional charging points for airside vehicles and ground support equipment. The measures are intended to support the gradual shift away from fossil fuel use in apron activities and to align the airport with European requirements on alternative fuels infrastructure.
Aircraft using the equipped stands can now connect directly to fixed electrical ground power and air conditioning systems while parked. This reduces reliance on onboard auxiliary power units and diesel-powered ground equipment, which are typically used to supply energy and ventilation during turnaround periods.
Alongside the stand upgrades, charging facilities have been added across the apron area. These include 7.4 kW charging points for light vehicles and higher-capacity 120 kW chargers for electric buses. Dedicated electrical connections have also been installed for equipment such as baggage tractors and refuelling support vehicles.
Guillaume Dubois, Chairman of Aéroports du Grand Ouest and CEO of Nantes Atlantique Airport said:By electrifying aircraft stands and deploying charging stations for ground support equipment, we are helping to reduce emissions from airlines and ground handling companies. This is fully in line with the strategy we are pursuing to reduce the environmental impact of airport activities. This commitment, led by VINCI Airports since 2016, is part of a comprehensive approach to reducing CO₂ emissions from our own airport operations while also addressing those generated by third parties.
According to project estimates, the combined changes could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ground operations by up to half, depending on usage levels.
Funding for the scheme was provided through a combination of sources, with AGO covering around 70% of the total cost. The remaining 30% was supported by the European Union and Banque des Territoires. The programme is designed to meet the requirements of the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which sets a target for the electrification of aircraft stands by 2030.
Richard Ferrer, Head of the Alternative Fuels Sector at the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) said:By electrifying its ground services, Nantes Atlantique Airport is positioning itself among Europe’s leading airports, firmly committed to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. With a grant of nearly €4.5 million, the European Union has supported this initiative, which represents a major step forward towards a sustainable, low-carbon airport model, both in the Pays de la Loire region and across Europe, directly contributing to European climate ambitions.
