Agreed by the SOF Connect consortium and the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), the project will contribute to reducing Sofia Airport’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 28% by 2026 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.
The deployment will involve the deployment of two transformer stations for increasing the capacity of the existing electrical grid; two mobile ground power units, with two outputs; and four mobile ground power units, with one output. It will also see the installation of one heater for aircraft cabins; 22 charging stations for ground handling equipment with software for monitoring; and electrical infrastructure for the charging stations (including new cable lines, new electrical boards, transformer for electrical supply for seven of the chargers).
The project is scheduled to last 3 years and due for completion on November 6, 2026. The estimated cost is €1.86bn, including a requested EU contribution of €930m.
Munich Airport and the consortium known as SOF Connect – which consists of the French investor Meridiam and the Austrian developer Strabag – took over responsibility for Sofia International Airport in 1921. The consortium has committed to investing at least €624m over the life of the concession and intends to build a brand-new Terminal 3 for the airport within the first ten years of the concession.
