Special high-voltage substation
The construction of the new high-voltage substation at Schiphol Centre started this year. It’s going to be a very special building. Partly because it’s going to look special. But also because it’s crucial for one of our most important sustainability goals.
New station contributes to zero emissions in 2030
We’d been planning it for years: the replacement of the high-voltage substation at Energieplein, Schiphol. An extensive task, but the time has now come. With this new substation, we can achieve some of our sustainability ambitions. One of the most important? No more emissions produced by Schiphol’s own activities by the year 2030.
From fossil fuel to sustainable alternatives
We’ve already taken several measures to ensure our own activities produce zero emissions in the future. Swapping fossil fuels for sustainable alternatives is making the most significant contribution. Large parts of the terminal and some of the offices are already being warmed and cooled using thermal energy. You can see heat pumps at several locations, and we’ll be installing more over the coming years. Our ambition is to get all our own buildings off the gas grid by 2030.
Request for extra grid capacity
We’re also electrifying our vehicles. At the moment, more than 40% of our equipment is electric. And that amount is set to increase over the next few years. This means we need more power. Fortunately, we anticipated this a few years ago and made a timely request for extra capacity on the grid. This will be provided thanks to the construction of the high-voltage substation and the laying of a new cable network.
Green roof with plants, bushes and trees
The new high-voltage substation is being built near the terminal (on the green area between Schiphol Boulevard and Westelijke Randweg), but you won’t be able to see it easily. The station will blend in with the environment as it will be almost fully covered by an 11-metre dome covered in plants, bushes and trees. This green roof is not only attractive, it also gives a boost to biodiversity at the airport. A fun sustainability fact: the electricity at the substation comes from 100% Dutch wind energy.
Schiphol only uses what is necessary
When the new station is ready in 2027, it will serve Schiphol for decades. Schiphol will not immediately use all of the new station’s capacity, only what is necessary. Consumption will increase over the years, but the capacity Schiphol does not use will be available to other network users in the meanwhile.
Schiphol is building the new high-voltage substation in collaboration with Liander. Construction company BAM is carrying out the works.
Wondering what the new high-voltage substation will look like?
Read the previous blogs
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More electric equipment
Published on:Most diesel generators have now been replaced by electric ones. Schiphol provides almost all planes parked at the gate with electrical power.
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Start construction circular checkpoint
Published on:For the new checkpoint we are using material left over after the demolition of three office buildings and three cargo buildings at Schiphol.
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Highest ACI accreditation for sustainability
Published on:Industry association Airports Council International (ACI) has awarded three of our airports the highest possible level for sustainability.
