Renewable Energy Solutions
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Case Study

Western Sydney International Airport

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Project Size:

4.5MWp Rooftop Solar

 

Key Project Stats

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9000 panels

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4.5MWp peak output

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Over 5800 MWh generation

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3,712 tonnes of estimated avoided CO₂-e*

When Western Sydney International (Nancy‐Bird Walton) Airport opens in late 2026 it will mark one of the largest and most ambitious infrastructure projects in Australia. The scale of the development is immense.

Over a four‐year period, Smart Commercial Energy worked alongside award‐winning electrical contractor Heyday 5 and builder Multiplex to design and install a 4.5 MWp system across the airport’s main terminal roof, both piers and the car park walkways. The result marks the first key milestone in large scale onsite renewable electricity generation for the Airport. It demonstrates Smart’s ability to solve complex engineering challenges and deliver renewable energy at mega-project scale.

 

OBJECTIVES

The project objective was clear: generate as much renewable electricity onsite as feasible, within the constraints of the complex design. Solar was to play a central role in supporting the airport’s Sustainability Strategy by reducing carbon emissions, improving energy resilience, and demonstrating innovation at scale.

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SOLUTION

Smart Commercial Energy was engaged by Heyday 5, the project’s lead electrical contractor (and winner of the 2024 NECA NSW Commercial X-Large Award for their work on this project), to design and deliver a 4.5MWp solar system across the airport precinct.

Panels were installed on:

  • The main terminal roof
  • Both piers
  • The covered car park walkways
  • Fuel farm

Our project team — led by Head of Projects Ben Adamson, with Program Head Sam Cook, Project Manager Siret Sarapuu, and engineers Wei Zhang and Joshua Bartlett — managed all aspects from design through to completion.

"WSI is not just another airport - it’s a landmark project that demanded creative problem-solving, collaboration, and precision at every step. From developing a brand-new clamp to managing complex site logistics, our team proved once again that Smart thrives in challenging environments."


BEN ADAMSON, HEAD OF PROJECTS & PERFORMANCE, SMART COMMERCIAL ENERGY

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INNOVATIONS

This was no ordinary rooftop solar project. Unique requirements demanded creative solutions:

  • Custom engineering: The roof profile required a new clamp design, developed in partnership with supplier Sunlock. Large bulb-profile roof sheets demanded careful consideration of thermal expansion.
  • Complex site logistics: With multiple trades and over 200 workers onsite at peak, safety and coordination were critical. Smart managed multiple teams across different areas while maintaining strict safety compliance.
  • Structural optimisation: For the solar-covered walkways, Smart worked closely with structural engineers to extend panels as close as possible to the edge of available area while remaining compliant.
  • Stakeholder management: The project required alignment with multiple tiers of stakeholders — government bodies, Multiplex, Heyday 5, and numerous subcontractors.
  • End-of-life panel recycling: Every Smart installation, including this one, is backed by certified take-back and recycling partners. Australia's recycling capability is advancing fast — commercial facilities now recover ~99% of panel materials (aluminium, glass, silicon, silver), supported by a new national research hub's crush-and-sieve recovery process and a $24.7M federal pilot building nationwide collection infrastructure.

“Western Sydney International Airport has been sustainable by design well before the first shovel hit the ground. Building a new greenfield airport today means we are ready for the challenges of tomorrow – and we’ve built in efficiencies in every step to accomplish this... Our objective is to achieve net zero and fast forward the transition to a climate positive future including supporting airlines on their net zero journey.”

 

WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT

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RESULTS

    • 4.5 MWp of solar pv supplied by Smart's trusted partner, Trinasolar
    • A showcase of Smart’s problem-solving capabilities on large, non-standard projects
    • Strong alignment with WSI’s Sustainability Plan, which prioritises carbon reduction and renewable energy integration
    • Recognition for the broader project team’s excellence through Heyday 5’s NECA NSW award

The completed system stands ready to support Western Sydney International's operations once commissioning is finalised, delivered through close collaboration with Heyday 5 and Multiplex on one of the airport's most technically demanding installations. 

 

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*Estimated avoided CO₂-e emissions per annum, based on estimated annual generation of 5,800 MWh and the NSW grid emissions factor (National Greenhouse Accounts Factors 2026, DCCEEW).