Kerala's Cochin International Airport is set to become India's first solar powered airport on 18 August.
The development was announced by Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) managing director VJ Kurian at a press conference recently. The 12MWp (12 Mega Watt peak) solar power project plant will be inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday.
"With the commissioning of the plant, Cochin International Airport will become the first airport in the country to be completely powered by solar energy as its entire power requirement of about 52,000 units daily will be met by these solar plants," Kurian said during the press meet.
Through a global tender, the contract was awarded to Bangalore-based Bosch Limited and the work was completed within six months.
More than 46,150 photovoltaics (PV) panels have been laid across 45 acres and with the functioning of the plant, the airport will have 50,000 to 60,000 units of electricity each day that can be used for all the operational functions of the airport.
"We are also looking at opportunities in generating power through dam-based solar panels and low-head hydro projects by utilising Kerala's natural resources," Kurian added.
