Finnair Cargo has taken another step towards full self-sustainable energy production by installing an additional 1,790 solar panels to the roof of its COOL Nordic Cargo Hub at Helsinki Airport.

The new panels were added throughout summer and autumn, and join 1,200 others that were installed when the terminal was originally constructed.

As a result of the upgrade, Finnair Cargo states that over a third (37 per cent) of its annual electricity consumption within the COOL Nordic Cargo Hub will be provided by these solar panels.

On a sunny day, this rises to 100 per cent, with the COOL terminal becoming self-sufficient in terms of electricity production, with the excess production being fed to Finnair’s other airport facilities.

Gabriela Hiitola, senior vice president at Finnair Cargo, said: “With this addition, the COOL Nordic Cargo Hub will be the third largest solar panel energy production unit in Finland.

“At the maximum level, the solar power station can produce over 1,1 MW peaks, more than tripling our production.

“It is clear that the aviation industry is still waiting for those big solutions to reduce flight emissions. However, in the meantime we keep on working towards more sustainable operations in all areas.”

The COOL Cargo terminal opened in 2018 and was designed with sustainability principles in mind.

In addition to the solar panels providing part of the energy needed for the terminal’s operations, both operational efficiency and waste management have also been carefully planned.

Furthermore, as the airline continues to invest in sustainable solutions, Finnair Cargo is installing 645 solar panels on the roof of its aircraft maintenance hangar in Helsinki.