Nantes Atlantique Airport, operated by VINCI Airports, has taken new steps to reduce the carbon impact of ground operations. During turnarounds, aircraft can now shut down their auxiliary power units and connect directly to the airport’s electrical network, cutting ground emissions by 50%. This achievement, supported by Egis' technical expertise, marks a significant step towards complying with the European Fit for 55 regulations.
Infrastructure designed to meet new regulatory requirements
The electrification of aircraft stands (400 Hz/PCA) and ground support vehicles enables Nantes Atlantique Airport to halve emissions from ground operations by half and be ready for future regulatory developments.
The deployment of dedicated electrical infrastructure - supplying power to aircraft on stand and charging points for airport vehicles - meets the requirements of the European Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which mandates the electrification of aircraft stands by 2030. It also complements VINCI Airports’ ambitious environmental strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 across its airports in the European Union and the United Kingdom.
The project included:
- 12 aircraft stand power units providing 400 Hz electrical power and pre-conditioned air (PCA) near the terminal for aircraft on turnaround.
- 100 charging points for airside vehicles (cars, vans, and ground support equipment), including three 120 kW chargers dedicated to buses.
- Upgrades to the high-voltage electrical network:
- Construction of a new 20 kV delivery substation.
- Installation of three high/low-voltage transformer stations.
- Commissioning of an automatic high-voltage loop reconfiguration system, tested in February 2026.
A rigorous project delivered in just 15 months
In record time, the project teams have completed the following:
- Built foundations for four new electrical substations and 12 aircraft power points on the apron.
- Excavated and installed underground networks for power distribution and data.
- Installed concrete bases for charging points and reorganised the bus parking area.
- Installed all required electrical equipment, from high-voltage substations to charging sockets.
- Automated electrical supply management to improve operational efficiency.
- Integrated all new systems into the existing airport supervisory control system.
Design studies conducted between November 2023 and January 2024 enabled the launch of two procurement packages, both overseen by Egis. Their remit included the supply of equipment, as well as electrical and civil engineering works.
Complete project management
Egis provided comprehensive project management services, encompassing concept design, procurement support, review of detailed design studies, and on-site works monitoring. The scope of our services also included commissioning and acceptance of the installations. In order to ensure the continuity of airport operations, some of the works were conducted during night-time hours.
