Key Highlights:
- Cochin International Airport solar power plant
- First completely power-neutral airport
- An ever-lasting milestone in the field of renewable energy
- Also known as the World’s first ‘Green Airport’.
- Solar panels are to be at full capacity for the next 25 years.
The Government of Kerala has done their part by taking its step towards achieving renewable capacity of 500 GW by 2030. They have made Cochin International Airport as the first airport powered by solar energy. It has turned the airport fully functional on green energy.
Aviation industry is among one of the top sectors turning India’s economy to reach up-top. But it is also one of the most polluting of all. It uses non-renewable resources to their optimum capacity. And with this fully solar powered airport in India, the course has changed. By making the airport completely functional on solar energy, India globally has given other countries a big challenge in competing for renewable energy resources.
In 2022, when world-wide everyone got hit by COVID, the aviation industry got struck down by a major hit. But, after removing restrictions on travel, the industry again got hit, and the carbon-level started increasing.
see also – Bhadla Solar Park
So, the Cochin international airport solar power plant became a ‘Game-Changer’. It was built for INR 303 Crores which is a minimal value compared to its benefits. The construction cost will be covered in the next 5 years starting from their initial working year. These solar panels will be at their optimum functional capacity for 25 years.
It was inaugurated in 2015 by the then CM Mr. Oommen Chandy. A total of 46,150 solar panels are laid across 45 acres. And, now, the airport can generate 50,000-60,000 units of electricity to power up all of its operational units.
India has never failed to emerge as an example for the whole world. And it has emerged as a model example in the case of achieving zero-carbon emissions. This is just a part of a wholesome journey. Many more milestones are yet to come, and soon our nation will be at its full capacity for a zero-carbon footprint.
