CIAL had tested the feasibility of solar power back in 2013 when they installed solar panels on the roof of the arrival terminal block. “In fact, we are producing a few megawatts of extra energy which is being contributed to the state’s power grid”, said VJ Kurian, its managing director.
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The company claims that it’s reliance on solar makes the airport “absolutely power neutral”.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said that projects like Cochin worldwide Airport Limited (CIAL), Nedumbassery were inevitable for the states developmental activities. Instead of having some sort of impossibly huge battery, it’s hooked up to the local power grid and pulls energy from there when it needs to, like during the middle of the night. Later, they installed a 1 MWp solar power plant partly on the rooftop and partly on the ground in the aircraft maintenance hangar facility on the airport premises. Kolkata-based Vikram Solar implemented the project. The airport has a power requirement of 52,000 units a day.
Steffen Berns, President of Bosch Group and managing director Bosch Ltd, told media that the project completed in Cochin global Airport is the largest solar plant installed by Bosch Energy and Building Solutions team in India till date. Over the next 25 years, Cochin International’s solar power station is expected to save 300,000 tons worth of carbon emissions.
India’s first corporate airport largely promoted by its diaspora in the port city, catering mostly to the West Asia-bound workers, Cochin is the fourth busiest in terms of global passenger traffic.
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He said: “Our operations at Cochin Duty Free will run on electricity produced by solar energy from now onwards”. “The new worldwide terminal will become functional by 2016”, added Chandy, who is also the chairman of Cial.
