SF Solar Power, a new joint investment company formed by Solar Frontier and Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ), has reached an agreement with New Kansai International Airport Company, Ltd. to construct a solar project, KIX Megasolar, with capacity totaling 11.6 MW at Kansai International Airport.
New Kansai International Airport Company, Ltd., as part of its Smart Island Project, is working to utilize clean energy sources, including solar energy and hydrogen to realize an environmentally advanced airport. KIX Megasolar, which is part of this initiative, is scheduled to be the largest solar installation at any Asian airport. New Kansai International Airport Company, Ltd. will provide airport land and buildings that can be utilized effectively for the project, while Solar Frontier will provide CIS solar modules and operation & maintenance services, and DBJ will support financial structuring for the project. With this, the three companies will each play a role in promoting the spread of renewable energy in the Kansai area.
KIX Megasolar is the first project by SF Solar Power, a joint investment company by Solar Frontier and DBJ, which was announced in January. Solar Frontier holds a 60% stake in SF Solar Power, and DBJ holds 40%. After KIX Megasolar becomes operational, the companies are considering participation from a wide range of businesses, including local financial institutions that support renewable energy. KIX Megasolar is also the first project with investment and financing from DBJ’s Competitiveness Innovation Fund.
The project will involve installing 72,000 CIS modules beside the airport’s B runway (96,700 m2) and on cargo warehouse (23,000 m2). The annual output of the two installations is expected to be 12,000,000 kWh, equivalent to the electricity used by 4,100 households; it will also enable an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of 4,000 tons. The installation work will begin midway through this year, with the aim of starting operations next January.
Looking ahead, New Kansai International Airport Company, DBJ, and Solar Frontier will continue collaborating to help promote sustainable, renewable energy sources with low environmental impact. The three companies will also work with a growing number of stakeholders to promote renewable energy, using Kansai International Airport as a model for environmentally advanced airports that bring together land, projects, and funding.
