Vital Energi Partners with London Gatwick for £250m Decarbonisation Programme

London Gatwick has joined forces with Vital Energi, a leading renewable energy provider, to drive forward its ambitious £250 million decarbonisation programme. This initiative aims to transform the airport’s energy use by switching to zero-carbon heating solutions, eliminating the reliance on natural gas, and enhancing energy efficiency across key airport buildings.

Key Objectives of the Decarbonisation Project

The collaboration is a critical part of Gatwick’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030. Over the next five years, Vital Energi will lead efforts to decarbonise heating across around 50 buildings at the airport, including both the North and South terminals, engineering facilities, and office spaces.

This project is set to enhance energy resilience by generating zero-carbon heat through advanced technologies such as heat pumps, alongside improving the overall energy efficiency of the airport's infrastructure. The airport is also focusing on reducing its carbon footprint and playing a pivotal role in helping the aviation industry work towards its overall decarbonisation goal by 2050.

Enhancing Sustainability and Operational Resilience

Cedric Laurier, Chief Technical Officer at London Gatwick, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “At London Gatwick, we are committed to decarbonising greenhouse gas emissions under the airport’s control by 2030. Our partnership with Vital Energi will be key to achieving this goal, and by becoming the first major UK airport to generate heat on-site, we are reinforcing our sustainability credentials as we continue to grow.”

Vital Energi’s Role in the Transformation

Mike Cooke, Managing Director of Vital Energi, expressed his pride in partnering with London Gatwick, stating, “We are excited to support London Gatwick in its ambitious decarbonisation programme. Our expertise in renewable technologies, combined with our team of over 100 design engineers, will help the airport remove gas from the entire site and install heat pumps and other decarbonisation solutions. We’re focused on building operational resilience into every project, ensuring continuity and reliability throughout.”

Future of Sustainable Aviation

This groundbreaking project aligns with London Gatwick’s vision of being a leader in sustainability within the aviation sector. As the airport works toward its 2030 net-zero target, this partnership with Vital Energi underscores the airport’s commitment to green energy solutions and operational innovation in the pursuit of a more sustainable future for air travel.

With this £250 million decarbonisation programme, London Gatwick continues to lead the way in sustainable airport operations, positioning itself at the forefront of the aviation industry’s shift towards zero-carbon solutions.