As the global aviation industry intensifies its focus on sustainability, Africa is emerging as a leader in solar-powered airports.
Leveraging the continent’s abundant sunshine—averaging over 2,500 hours annually in many regions—airports across Africa are harnessing solar energy to reduce carbon emissions and operational costs.
From South Africa to Kenya, these facilities are setting a precedent for renewable energy adoption in aviation. Here’s a look at the top 10 solar-powered airports in Africa, highlighting their solar energy contributions and the percentage of power derived from solar as of early 2025.
1. George Airport, South Africa – 41% Solar-Powered
George Airport, located in South Africa’s Western Cape, holds the distinction of being Africa’s first solar-powered airport, a milestone achieved in 2016.
Managed by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the airport’s 200-square-meter solar plant, equipped with 3,000 photovoltaic (PV) modules, generates 750 kW at full capacity.
This meets 41% of the airport’s energy demand, with the remaining 59% sourced from the national grid.
ACSA aims to increase solar capacity to cover 60% of George Airport’s needs by 2027, aligning with its goal to run all nine of its airports on renewable energy.
2. Cochin International Airport, India (African Partnership) – 100% Solar-Powered
While not physically in Africa, Cochin International Airport (CIAL) in India has a significant partnership with African airports, particularly in Kenya, for knowledge sharing on solar integration.
CIAL became the world’s first fully solar-powered airport in 2015, with a 40 MW solar plant meeting 100% of its energy needs.
Through a 2023 collaboration with Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, CIAL is helping African airports replicate its model, providing technical expertise and training.
3. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kenya – 15% Solar-Powered
Kenya’s busiest airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, has embraced solar energy to supplement its power needs.
In 2023, JKIA installed a 2 MW solar plant on its premises, which now generates 15% of the airport’s electricity.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) plans to expand the solar farm to 5 MW by 2026, aiming to cover 30% of JKIA’s energy demand. This initiative supports Kenya’s Vision 2030 goal of transitioning to 100% renewable energy.
4. Kimberley Airport, South Africa – 38% Solar-Powered
Kimberley Airport, another ACSA-managed facility in South Africa’s Northern Cape, has a 500 kW solar plant installed in 2017.
The plant supplies 38% of the airport’s energy needs, reducing reliance on the national grid, which often faces outages due to Eskom’s challenges. ACSA’s long-term plan is to increase solar capacity to 1 MW, potentially covering 70% of Kimberley’s energy needs by 2028.
5. Upington Airport, South Africa – 35% Solar-Powered
Upington Airport, located in South Africa’s sun-drenched Northern Cape, generates 35% of its power from a 400 kW solar plant installed in 2018.
The facility, also managed by ACSA, benefits from the region’s high solar irradiance. Upington’s solar plant has reduced energy costs by 20%, and ACSA aims to expand capacity to cover 50% of the airport’s needs by 2027.
6. Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Nigeria – 10% Solar-Powered
Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) joined the solar revolution in 2024 with a 1 MW solar plant, meeting 10% of its energy demand.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) partnered with a local renewable energy firm to install the system, aiming to reduce operational costs amidst rising electricity tariffs.
FAAN plans to scale the solar plant to 3 MW by 2026, targeting 25% solar coverage.
7. Kotoka International Airport, Ghana – 12% Solar-Powered
Kotoka International Airport in Accra has a 1.5 MW solar plant, operational since 2023, which supplies 12% of its energy needs.
The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) initiated the project to cut energy costs and reduce carbon emissions. GACL aims to double the solar capacity by 2027, potentially covering 25% of Kotoka’s energy demand.
8. Cape Town International Airport, South Africa – 20% Solar-Powered
Cape Town International Airport, a major hub in South Africa, generates 20% of its power from a 2 MW solar plant installed in 2022.
ACSA’s investment in solar at Cape Town aligns with South Africa’s renewable energy goals. The airport plans to add another 1 MW of solar capacity by 2026, aiming for 30% solar dependency.
9. Entebbe International Airport, Uganda – 8% Solar-Powered
Entebbe International Airport, Uganda’s main gateway, has a 500 kW solar plant installed in 2024, meeting 8% of its energy needs.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) aims to expand the system to 1 MW by 2026, targeting 15% solar coverage. This initiative supports Uganda’s renewable energy strategy, leveraging the country’s abundant sunshine.
10. O.R. Tambo International Airport, South Africa – 18% Solar-Powered
O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, Africa’s busiest airport, generates 18% of its power from a 3 MW solar plant installed in 2023.
ACSA’s ongoing efforts to expand solar capacity aim to reach 25% by 2027, reducing the airport’s carbon footprint and energy costs in a country where electricity prices continue to rise.
Africa’s solar-powered airports are proving that renewable energy can transform aviation, even in a region with infrastructural challenges. As solar technology advances and costs decline, more African airports are likely to follow suit, paving the way for a greener future in the skies.
