Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is taking a major step toward cleaner energy with one of the world's largest photovoltaic parks built at an airport. The project is part of Aena's Photovoltaic Plan in Spain, and its main solar plant — with a nominal capacity of 120 MW — was completed in 2025.
Thousands of solar panels produce electricity from sunlight and help reduce the airport's dependence on traditional energy sources. For a hub that handled more than 68 million passengers last year, that is a significant amount of electricity generated on site.
Headline Figures at a Glance
142+ MW
Peak Capacity
120 MW
Nominal Capacity
45 MW
Second Plant Tendered
68.1M+
Passengers in 2025
A Huge Solar Project at Madrid Airport
The solar project covers a large area of land at Madrid-Barajas Airport. The main photovoltaic plant has a peak capacity of more than 142 MW and a nominal capacity of 120 MW. Solar panels collect energy from sunlight and turn it into electricity, which then supports the energy needs of airport facilities.
Aena is also planning additional capacity at the airport. The company began the tender process for a second photovoltaic plant with 45 MW of nominal capacity in 2025. Together, these projects are expected to make Madrid-Barajas an important example of renewable energy use in the aviation industry.
Part of Aena's Renewable Energy Plan
Aena operates many of Spain's largest airports and is working to increase the amount of renewable electricity produced at its own facilities. During 2025 the 120 MW plant at Madrid-Barajas was completed, and construction also started on photovoltaic plants at Barcelona-El Prat and Reus airports.
2029 Renewable Target
By 2029, Aena plans for renewable production from its Photovoltaic Plan in Spain to reach a level equal to 51% of the electricity it used in 2019.
Why Solar Energy Matters for Airports
Airports need large amounts of electricity every day. Terminals, baggage systems, lighting, offices and countless other facilities all require power. Large airports also tend to have open areas of land around their runways and infrastructure, and some of those areas are suitable for solar projects when safety and operational requirements allow it.
Airport Facilities
Terminals, baggage systems, lighting and offices all consume electricity around the clock.
Open Airport Land
Areas around airport infrastructure can host solar panels where safety rules permit it.
Cleaner Energy
Generating power on site delivers renewable electricity close to where it is consumed.
Madrid-Barajas Is Preparing for Future Growth
Madrid-Barajas is already Spain's busiest airport and a key connection point between Europe and Latin America. It handled more than 68.1 million passengers in 2025, a new annual record. Aena is now preparing the airport for further growth with major investments in infrastructure — and the photovoltaic park is part of the same long-term plan.
- Terminal 4 expansion Capacity
- Terminal 4S expansion Capacity
- New aircraft parking areas Operations
- Existing terminal improvements Comfort
- Photovoltaic park Sustainability
Growth With Sustainability
Aena has described the airport's future expansion as both necessary and sustainable. Plans include extensions to Terminal 4 and Terminal 4S, new aircraft parking areas and improvements to existing terminal facilities. The large photovoltaic project shows how renewable energy can become a structural part of a major international airport rather than an add-on. As Madrid-Barajas continues to grow, solar power is expected to play a central role in its future energy system.
