The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport is once again funding the procurement of environmentally-friendly ground power units at German airports.
Aircraft also need power on the ground while they are being serviced, loaded and refuelled. The electricity they need for this often comes from auxiliary turbines in the airplane or is produced by diesel-powered generators at remote parking areas. Using direct current, batteries or hydrogen, airplanes can be supplied with electricity in a more efficient, emission-free and much quieter way than before. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport is supporting airports in procuring mobile and stationary ground power systems. The third round of applications starts today.
Stefan Schnorr, State Secretary in the Federal Transport Ministry: “We are continuing our commitment to sustainable aviation, even in challenging budgetary times. It’s not just Germany as a location that benefits from clean German airports, they also improve working conditions for airport apron staff. At the same time, our funding is an expression of our political support for aviation. As an export nation, Germany is dependent on excellent connections to the world. We support our aviation industry on the path to emission-free flying.”
Around three million euros are available in this third call for the procurement of environmentally-friendly, mobile and stationary ground power systems to supply airplanes as well providing the required charging and refuelling infrastructure. Natural and legal persons who will own the alternative systems to be funded in Germany are eligible to apply. The funding rate is up to 70 percent. Applications may be submitted from 10 February until 2 May 2025.
In the first two funding calls, a total of 24 stakeholders benefitted from funding in the amount of 22.1 million euros at 19 German airports. Over 200 ground power systems were procured that save around 7,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents annually, reduce noise and improve air quality on the apron.
Dagmar Fehler, CEO and Spokesperson of NOW GmbH: “With the ground power directive, the BMDV is offering German airports the opportunity to procure a variety of flexible and innovative solutions for supplying power to aircraft on the ground. The extraordinary reaction to the investment programme shows that is a promising path to success. The fact that the federal government is standing by this programme despite budgetary challenges, providing consistency to the stakeholders, is a strong signal to German airports.”
Applications are approved by the Federal Office for Administrative Services (BAV), which also carries out the performance reviews of the projects. As a scientific and technical service provider, NOW GmbH supports the implementation of the ground power directive with its technical expertise and captures and analyses data on the funding measure.
Interested parties can obtain information about the third funding call as well as funding conditions and the application process at an online seminar on 29 January 2025.
Further information:
- On the third funding call including competition criteria
- All information on the funding call and the application process is available on the website of the Federal Office for Administrative Services (BAV)
- Register for the online seminar
About NOW GmbH
Since 2008, NOW GmbH has been supporting the federal government’s targets in its climate and industrial policy. The tasks of the federally-owned company include developing, monitoring and evaluating funding programmes about climate-neutral mobility and energy supply. NOW GmbH experts supervise projects in the areas of hydrogen, fuel cells, battery and renewable fuels. They reimagine mobility and fuels for cars, buses, trains, commercial vehicles, ships and airplanes, and support the establishment and further development of charging infrastructure and hydrogen refuelling stations for cars and trucks. More information on NOW can be found here.