Published on: 2026-07-31
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
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Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport has become the world’s first airport to achieve net zero carbon emissions, with a total emission reduction of 95.15%, according to data released at a press conference in Ordos on July 25.
The result was assessed by the China Quality Certification Center and the China Association of Transportation and Communications. The airport offsets its limited residual emissions through appropriate measures, bringing the total net carbon emissions to zero or below.
The project is based on an integrated clean energy system developed by the Ordos Energy Research Institute of Peking University.
The system uses locally generated wind and solar energy, supported by energy storage systems, to provide the airport with electricity, heating, and cooling. Its technology based on carbon dioxide provides cooling in summer and heating in winter, replacing gas boilers and conventional refrigerant equipment previously used at the airport.
Seasonal underground energy storage is another important part of the project. Excess renewable energy and heat can be stored underground during the warm months and used for heating in winter, helping to balance seasonal differences between energy demand and supply throughout the year.
The AI-based smart management platform coordinates the production and use of electricity, heat, and cooling throughout the airport. By forecasting energy demand and adjusting supply in real time, the platform increases the efficiency of renewable energy use and the overall system performance.
The system was commissioned on March 15, 2025, and has since completely replaced the previous gas heating and conventional refrigeration equipment of the airport.
Clean energy now accounts for more than 90% of the airport’s energy consumption. Annually, the airport consumes over 21 million kilowatt-hours of wind and solar energy. Energy consumption for heating and cooling has decreased by 60%, and annual operating costs have been reduced by 50%.
The project also allows saving more than 2 million cubic meters of natural gas annually.
Currently, the airport meets its energy needs without using fossil fuels, fluorinated refrigerants, or cooling water. According to the research team, the system can be adapted for industrial parks, data centers, and manufacturing facilities.
Combining renewable energy, energy storage, and intelligent management into a single system, the project represents a practical model for emissions reduction for airports and other large energy-intensive facilities.
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