Pairi Daiza
Renewable energy at visitor scale
The world's most sustainable solar carport
Pairi Daiza, Belgium's award-winning zoo and botanical garden, partnered with PerPetum for a 39.5 MWp solar carport installation across two phases (Phase 1: 20 MWp, Phase 2: 19.5 MWp). Built with an innovative all-wood structure, this is one of the largest timber solar carports in the world, combining renewable energy generation with enhanced visitor experience.
Project Overview
Pairi Daiza welcomes over 2 million visitors every year and is consistently ranked among Europe's finest zoological gardens. The park needed to scale its renewable energy infrastructure without compromising its world-class aesthetic, and wanted to go further than simply 'green' by minimising the embodied carbon of the structure itself. PerPetum delivered a solution that is both engineering breakthrough and architectural statement.
The Challenge
Align large-scale on-site renewable production with fluctuating visitor-driven consumption, while integrating EV charging and preserving the park’s unique architectural character.
Our Solution
A fully integrated behind-the-meter system combining carport-mounted solar, battery storage and EV charging, actively managed to synchronise supply, charging demand and site consumption. 40 MWp installed capacity, delivering structural CO₂ reduction, enhanced on-site energy autonomy and scalable electrification infrastructure, fully executed under a Design – Build – Operate – Invest model.
- 19.9 MWp solar carport installation
- All-wood support structure from locally sourced timber
- 100x lower carbon footprint vs metal/concrete alternatives
- 5,000+ shaded parking spaces for visitors
- Powers 100% of park daytime operations
- Educational sustainability showcase for 2M+ annual visitors
Designed, financed, built and operated by PerPetum, a model of coherence in the fight for a cleaner world.
Project Highlights
Results & Impact
The installation generates approximately 22,000 MWh of clean electricity per year, covering 100% of Pairi Daiza's daytime energy needs and saving approximately 9,800 tonnes of CO₂ annually. The innovative wooden structure has become a sustainability landmark in its own right, demonstrating that renewable energy infrastructure can be both beautiful and radically low-carbon. Over 2 million visitors per year experience the project first-hand, making it one of Europe's most visible clean energy showcases.