The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, along with the New Terminal One consortium, has commenced construction on what will be the largest solar array in New York City at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The announcement was made during Climate Week NYC. This solar array, consisting of over 13,000 panels, will cover an area equivalent to six and a half football fields on the roof of the new terminal.
The project is part of a broader $19 billion transformation of JFK into a global gateway. The solar array will contribute to a 12-megawatt microgrid that includes fuel cells and battery storage. This system can operate independently or connect to the main power grid, providing electricity for daily operations at the terminal.
Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority, stated: "When the new terminal is complete, it will be the largest terminal at Kennedy Airport, so we are particularly pleased to incorporate on-site power using a green energy source into the design of the terminal." He added that sustainability is a major priority for their facilities.
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole emphasized that this milestone sets an industry example: "On-site green energy development such as the country’s largest airport solar array will reduce the generation of greenhouse gases that cause climate change at the New Terminal One."
Jennifer Aument, CEO of New Terminal One, highlighted their commitment to sustainability: "Breaking ground on this first-of-its-kind microgrid solution is a major and exciting milestone in New Terminal One’s commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and setting a new industry standard on sustainability."
Juan Macias, CEO of AlphaStruxure, noted the challenges airports face regarding energy needs: "JFK’s New Terminal One is building sustainable energy infrastructure at the speed and scale necessary to stay ahead of these challenges."
The microgrid's design includes four clusters of electrical generation infrastructure around the terminal. Each cluster can function independently to ensure resilience. AlphaStruxure finances this project through an Energy as a Service contract, which means no upfront capital expenditures for either Port Authority or New Terminal One.
In addition to this project, other solar initiatives are underway at JFK and other Port Authority facilities. These include projects at Newark Liberty International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.
The redevelopment plan for JFK includes multiple phases with various expansions and modernizations across different terminals. The first phase of construction for New Terminal One began in September 2022 and is expected to be completed by 2030.
AlphaStruxure's involvement ensures long-term operational guarantees without initial costs for clients. The company leverages expertise from Schneider Electric and Carlyle in financing large-scale energy projects.
