SunMind announces the commissioning of two new photovoltaic power plants at Madeira and Porto Santo airports, marking a new step in the deployment of renewable energy solutions across airport infrastructure in Portugal.

Developed in partnership with ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, part of the VINCI Airports network, these projects are based on two 15-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), enabling the direct supply of locally generated, low-carbon electricity to airport operations. This model provides long-term visibility on energy costs while supporting the integration of renewable generation within existing infrastructure.

At Porto Santo Airport, the 184 kWp ground-mounted photovoltaic plant will produce approximately 297 MWh per year, covering 24% of the airport’s electricity consumption. The installation comprises 320 solar panels and is expected to avoid around 148 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions annually.
At Madeira Airport (Funchal), the project consists of a 1,386 kWp plant installed on carports, generating approximately 1.87 GWh per year and covering 26% of the airport’s electricity needs. With 2,411 panels installed across 400 parking spaces, the project is expected to avoid around 930 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions annually, while also enhancing the passenger experience by providing shaded parking.

In island territories such as Madeira and Porto Santo, where energy systems are constrained by limited interconnections and a strong dependence on imported fuels, on-site solar generation plays a key role in strengthening energy resilience and reducing carbon emissions.

These new plants build on SunMind’s first photovoltaic project in Portugal, commissioned at Faro Airport in 2022. With three assets now in operation and additional developments underway in the Azores, Porto and Lisbon, SunMind continues to scale a replicable model combining infrastructure expertise and long-term renewable energy solutions, notably across VINCI Airports, which operates more than 70 airports worldwide and is also part of VINCI Concessions.

The commissioning of the Madeira and Porto Santo solar power plants marks a new step in the deployment of SunMind’s strategy: developing integrated renewable solutions tailored to infrastructure, supporting partners in their decarbonisation objectives, and delivering long-term value through robust and replicable business models.