Solar power will help Finnair keep its salmon and pharmaceuticals fresh at its new COOL Nordic Cargo Hub in Helsinki, which will begin full cargo operations in January 2018.

Finnair’s new cargo facility at Helsinki Airport will use solar power produced by 1,200 panels installed on the building’s roof. Each of the panels can produce up to 260 Watts of energy and the annual energy production level is estimated to be approximately 265 MWh/a. The solar energy produced at the cargo facility will represent over 10 per cent of the building’s annual energy consumption.

Improving the energy efficiency of its facilities is a part of Finnair’s sustainability strategy. The carrier says sustainable development was a key part in building the new cargo terminal, and the sustainability features will earn the terminal a ‘very good’ rating under the BREEAM sustainability certification.

Finnair will start operating at its new cargo terminal in phases from October onwards and the solar panels were taken into use already in May.

Finnair Cargo managing director, Janne Tarvainen says: “Sustainability is important for Finnair Cargo customers, as well as their customers. Our new cargo hub features advanced automation technology and has temperature controlled areas for pharmaceuticals and other perishable products, and the energy produced by the new solar panels supports the overall efficiency of the entire cargo terminal.”

The new terminal is spread over 37,000 square metres and Finnair has invested about 80 million euros.

It will have special handling areas for pharmaceutical and life science products as well as perishable products, including fish and seafood.

Finnair’s new Airbus A350 fleet will bring it up to 50 per cent more cargo capacity by 2020 and it is aiming to grow its cargo business.