More than 21 years ago, one of the most significant milestones in SAMPOL’s history took place when AENA awarded the company the contract to build and operate the airport’s trigeneration plant for a period of 20 years.
In a highly competitive bidding process against some of Spain’s largest energy groups, SAMPOL presented the best technical and financial offer, securing the contract.
The design and construction of the plant was a major challenge for the small company at the time.
But since then, SAMPOL has successfully provided energy to one of Europe’s busiest airports, maintaining the highest quality standards. The initial 20-year term was set to expire on 31 December this year.
However, following a more than three-year bidding process, SAMPOL successfully secured a five-year extension and will also oversee the implementation of new measures aimed at decarbonising energy supply at the airport.
During these past three years, SAMPOL has been actively working on various decarbonisation solutions, exploring options such as battery storage, hydrogen-powered systems, biogas and geothermal energy. AENA eventually defined its preferred approach one year ago and prepared a tender to award the contract for the next five years.
In yet another competitive process, SAMPOL once again emerged as the top bidder, outperforming major energy firms such as Engie and Veolia. The contract was officially awarded in May, with a total execution period of 68 months.
The awarded project consists of two distinct components. First, SAMPOL will be responsible for the Operation and Comprehensive Maintenance of the Cogeneration Plant for a period of 68 months, starting in January 2025. Additionally, the contract includes the supply of materials and the execution of works for the plant’s electrification. It is worth noting that AENA, as part of its commitment to decarbonisation, has developed its Climate Action Plan (PAC) and is implementing it across its network of airports to reduce its carbon footprint.
One of the required actions for this reduction is to rely more on renewable energy sources to meet its electrical and thermal demands.
The cogeneration plant at Madrid-Barajas Airport has been a benchmark in efficient climate control for terminals T123, T4 and T4S throughout nearly 20 years of operation, thanks in part to the expertise and dedication of SAMPOL personnel assigned to the facility.
The second part of the awarded contract includes the supply of materials and the execution of the necessary works to meet the objectives set by AENA.
For cooling, terminals T4 and T4S currently consume large volumes of chilled water, which is currently generated through a combination of centrifugal electric chillers and absorption chillers powered by waste heat from the natural gas engines at the cogeneration plant.
To reduce natural gas consumption and CO2 emissions, the system will be gradually transitioned from absorption chillers, which require generator operation, to four much more efficient electric chillers. These chillers only require electricity, which will gradually be transitioned to renewable energy sources.
Regarding heating, the terminals currently receive superheated water at 120 C, supplied via collectors connecting the cogeneration plant to the terminals. Since very few technologies can produce 120 C superheated water using renewable energy, one viable solution is the installation of electric boilers.
This is why as part of the contract, SAMPOL will supply and install two electric boilers in the cogeneration plant, which will be integrated into the heat distribution system for the terminals.
SAMPOL’s extensive expertise in managing the airport’s cogeneration plant, along with its proven ability to execute large-scale energy projects, has once again earned AENA’s trust.
This contract further cements SAMPOL’s leadership in innovative and sustainable energy and technology solutions, demonstrating its ability to tackle complex challenges while making a significant contribution to a more sustainable future.
This new phase will further consolidate SAMPOL’s reputation as a key player in the airport energy sector, ensuring efficient operations while actively working towards carbon footprint reduction.
