OREANDA-NEWS. A new initiative launched today will see Auckland Airport working in partnership with tenants to achieve ambitious energy-saving targets.

Supported by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), the programme is the first collaboration of its type between a large-scale commercial landlord and tenants. Auckland Airport is New Zealand's largest airport, with more than 100 tenants throughout its terminals and wider business district.

The programme will see Auckland Airport invest more than USD 3 million in projects to measure and manage energy over three years. It aims to save six gigawatt hours of energy - enough to power around 750 homes every year and worth more than USD 2 million. It will also reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 1,000 tonnes per year.

EECA is supporting the project under its group-wide energy management programme that targets savings and helps embed energy management across the operations of large energy users.

The first stage will see an energy monitoring system installed, to help identify energy use and potential savings in businesses across the Auckland Airport business district. Throughout the programme, Auckland Airport will work directly with at least eight tenant companies to help improve energy use, with workshops and guidance developed for the wider group. Tenants cover a diverse range of sectors including freight, logistics, commercial, retail and hospitality.

Auckland Airport has also committed to getting the energy efficiency of its office buildings rated under the NABERSNZ scheme, so the energy performance of the buildings will be independently verified.

Speaking at the launch of the programme today, EECA Chief Executive Mike Underhill said Auckland Airport was leading the way in demonstrating the business benefits of improved energy use, and forming partnerships between landlord and tenant.

“Auckland Airport is one of New Zealand's most significant commercial property owners, as well as being a strategic asset for the country. It's already improved energy use significantly throughout its terminals, but this programme breaks new ground in taking a proactive partnership approach with tenants. The company has ambitious goals to reduce energy use and carbon emissions, and has identified that it must work in partnership to achieve these.”

“This three-year project will generate valuable information and guidance that EECA will use to help all businesses reap the advantages of improved energy use.”

Auckland Airport Chief Executive Adrian Littlewood said the company is at an exciting point in its development, “a point in time that enables us to build on the excellent energy efficiency work undertaken over the past few years, to create an airport of the future that is efficient, resilient and sustainable.”

“To do this we need to expand our focus beyond our operational boundaries to our airport hub, our airport business district and the growing airport community. We need to engage, educate and facilitate change. We are therefore delighted to be able to continue and deepen our relationship with EECA through this three-year programme.”

Auckland Airport is a member of the Sustainable Business Council. The SBC will help develop guidance resulting from the project, and communicate this to member businesses.

EECA Business works with large energy-using businesses to establish and implement comprehensive energy management programmes, with guidance developed to benefit the wider business sector.