The European Climate Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and SEA have agreed to finance the eMAGO project, which will provide on-apron electric power supply to Milano Linate Airport and Milano Malpensa Airport.
The €4,401,000 secured in financing will contribute to the total cost of the project, valued at €14,670,000. The eMAGO project, lasting 36 months, will see the installation of Aircraft Ground Power Units on the aprons of Milano Linate and Malpensa airports, supplying power to aircraft at the airport during parking and ground handling operations.
“SEA has long been introducing technologies and working on projects to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable air transport to achieve its zero emissions target,” said Giorgio Medici, Head of Environment and Funded Initiatives, SEA. “Thanks to the funding we have obtained, we can now take major steps forward in the electrification process of our airports by working on the ground vehicles that are under our direct responsibility and on the supply of energy to aircraft in transit at our airports.”
The project will also see new charging stations set up for airport electric vehicles as part of SEA’s initiative to complete the electrification process of airport vehicles, initiated in 2020 when SEA replaced 50% of passenger buses at Malpensa with electrically powered models, as well as the full replacement of the company’s fleet of vehicles with electric and hybrid alternatives.
“By co-funding the eMAGO project, the European Union is supporting the decarbonisation of the aviation sector,” said Richard Ferrer, Head of Alternative Fuels Sector, CINEA. “The electrification of airport ground operations at Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa airports will be a turning point and an important first step on the road to net-zero emissions. In this sense, the eMAGO project will make a significant contribution to the European Green Deal.”
Image: SEA, Milan Malpensa Airport
