Kochi airport becomes world’s first to completely operate on solar power
Cochin International airport , the country’s first airport built under PPP model has scripted another chapter in aviation history by becoming the first airport in the world that completely operates on solar power. All of the airport’s energy requirements are met thanks to a roof-mounted installation on the terminal, as well as a solar plant beside the cargo warehouse. Hon.Chief Minister Mr.Oommen Chandy inaugurated the 12 MWp solar power plant, on 18th August 2015, comprising of 46,150 solar panels laid across 45 acres near cargo complex. Now, Kochi airport will have 50000 to 60000 thousand units of electricity per day to be consumed for all its operational functions, which technically make the airport ‘ absolutely power neutral ‘.
Over the next 25 years, this green power project will avoid carbon dioxide emissions from coal fired power plants by more than 3 lakh metric tons, which is equivalent to planting 3 million trees or not driving 750 miles. This is a grid connected system without any battery storage and a power banking module with the Kerla State electricity board (KSEB)has been worked out; wherein, CIAL gives as much power it produces (in day time) to (the grid of)KSEB and ‘ buy ‘ back the power from them when needed (especially in night).This plant will produce 18 million units of power from ‘ sun ‘ annually-the power equivalent to feed 10,000 homes for one year.
