Saudi-based Riyadh Airports Company (RAC) has joined hands with French energy group Engie for a major project at King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in the capital Riyadh aimed at helping provide the best solutions to reduce energy demand and costs and ensure reliable supply through clean and renewable energy sources.

The project covers all passenger terminals including the private aviation terminals, the airport’s industrial zone, support facilities, water transfer and treatment plants, substations, airfield and district cooling plants, said RAC, which manages and operates the KKIA.

The Energy Efficiency project at KKIA will help identify and develop cost-effective and smart energy conservation measures with the optimal mix of clean energy sources.  The project comes as part of RAC’s efforts to enhance the airport’s energy efficiency as per the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO).

“RAC is partnering with a global low-carbon energy provider to achieve our vision and contribute positively to the environment and keep it safe for future generations,” remarks its CEO Engineer Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Maghlouth. “The energy-efficiency audit includes improving energy efficiency on the supply and demand side, optimising the distribution network, implementing cost efficiency measures through internal tariffs and billing structures, enhancing building energy management systems and pumping stations and water networks.”

Building on Engie’s experience in energy management systems in international airports, and in light of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation strategy, the French major will analyse and design reliable and scalable system architecture to monitor and report energy and water consumption to allow for more optimal resource management from a centralised command and control centre.

Centralised building energy management systems will allow for consistent and accurate monitoring, more optimal resource management as well as enhanced data security.

In addition to the energy audit, Engie provides consultation services for billing management in order to recommend a model for cost recovery and define an optimal billing management approach based directly on system requirements.

Engie in Saudi Arabia CEO Turki Al Shehri says: “The Riyadh Airport project is key to enabling the kingdom to house a sustainable and energy-efficient world-class international airport at the heart of Saudi Arabia. Our work ensures that the airport facilities are optimally designed and will provide long-term value to the hundreds of thousands of passengers that will enter the kingdom as it continues to develop.”