Crossing New Horizons — A CIAL Power Story.
The story of how the Cochin International Airport became the first airport in the world that completely operates on solar power.
Kerala is one of the most beautiful states of India, with her vast rolling hills, the endless arrays of coconut trees, and her refreshing backwaters.
But what has always been truly inspiring, is her constant thirst for development.
The hunger for improving the quality of lifestyle for the people has always led this wonderful state to cross all horizons. Perhaps this is what gave birth to one of the most significant steps towards a better future, right in the heart of Kerala, in the beautiful city of Kochi.
Cochin International airport, the country’s first airport built under PPP (Public Private Partnership) model, became the first airport in the world that completely operates on solar power. The then 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.
The Beginning
CIAL ventured into the Solar PV sector during March 2013, by installing a 100 kWp solar PV Plant on the rooftop of the Arrival Terminal Block. This was a trend setter in the field of grid-connected solar PV in the State of Kerala. After the successful commissioning of this plant, CIAL installed a 1 MWp solar PV power plant partly on the rooftop and partly on the ground in the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar facility within the Airport premises.
The inspiration for the setting up of this plant came from the successful commissioning of two solar plants, one in the Arrival terminal block and the other in the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar facility, each plant installed by Kolkata based M/s Vikram Solar Pvt. Ltd. and Emvee Photovoltaic Power Pvt. Ltd. respectively.
Gaining more and more confidence with each success story, CIAL decided to set up the larger scale 12 MWp solar PV plant as part of its green initiatives. This was set up in an area of about 45 acres near the International Cargo complex. The work was taken up by M/s Bosch Ltd. The project components include PV modules of 265 Wp capacity manufactured by Renesola, and Inverters of 1MW capacity manufactured by ABB India.
The Promising Numbers
Now, Cochin airport’s solar power plant is producing 50,000 to 60,000 units of electricity per day to be consumed for all its operational functions, which technically gives the airport a unique and relevant definition.
‘Absolutely power neutral.’
This is a grid connected system without battery storage and a power banking module with the Kerala 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 ‘buys’ back the power from them when needed (especially in night).
The airport has also built a parking area of solar panels (carport) that produces over 2.7 MW and accommodates about 1,400 vehicles.
It comes with no surprise that the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) was presented with the UN’s highest environmental prize, the ‘Champions of Earth’ in September this year. The award was presented in the Entrepreneurial Vision category for CIAL’s leadership in the use of sustainable energy.
The official press communique issued by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) in connection with the ceremony said, “Cochin is showing the world that our ever-expanding network of global movement doesn’t have to harm the environment. As the pace of society continues to increase, the world’s first fully solar-powered airport is proof positive that green business is good business.”
Towards the Future
The produces 18 million units of power annually, from the most lavishly available power source on Earth: The Sun.
This is the power equivalent to feed 10,000 homes for one year. Over the next 25 years, this green power project will avoid the release of 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.
Innovative projects like these continue to give our state new wings to fly. Even amongst the chaos and havoc wrecking the state over the past months, ranging from floods to the Sabarimala issue, CIAL has witnessed new bonds forming between the people, and existing ties growing stronger.
With each passing year, as more and more projects are born in view of sustainable development, hope and belief grows in the minds of each Keralite.
That the state truly is…
God’s Own Country.
