TUI has inaugurated a new solar installation within the Brussels Airport perimeter, marking a pioneering achievement in renewable energy use in an airport environment. The project, developed in partnership with Eneco Solar, consists of 1,358 solar panels with a total capacity of 640 Wp each, generating an estimated 800 MWh annually — equivalent to the energy consumption of around 230 Belgian households.
The installation now covers 53% of TUI Belgium’s headquarters electricity needs, with 70% of the energy consumed directly on site and the remainder fed back into the grid. The solar power notably supplies the Engineering & Maintenance hangar, where TUI’s teams perform inspections and maintenance on the airline’s fleet.
Integrating a solar farm in an airport setting posed unique technical and administrative challenges, including strict aviation safety and glare requirements for pilots. The project required multiple authorisations from Brussels Airport Company, skeyes, the fire service, and the grid operator, and led to the use of low-reflectance solar panels specifically adapted for airport conditions.
At the inauguration ceremony, Thomas Ellerbeck, TUI Group Executive Committee member and Chief Sustainability Officer, stated:
“By producing renewable energy directly on site, we are reducing our ecological footprint while showing that innovation and responsibility can coexist – even in complex environments like airports. Sustainability is in our DNA, and this project reflects our commitment to responsible energy use.”
Paul Minjauw, Managing Director of Eneco Solar, added:
“This project proves that sustainable energy is possible even in places where it once seemed impossible. Everyone knows TUI as the company that takes people to the sun – from today, we’re bringing the sun to them too.”
The initiative reinforces TUI’s broader sustainability strategy, demonstrating how renewable energy integration can advance even in highly regulated airport environments.