KOCHI: The Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) commissioned one of the biggest floating solar power plants in Kerala. CIAL also operates the first fully solar powered airport in the world. The solar power plant has a capacity of 452 KWh (Kilowatts hour) which will take the total installed capacity of the airport to 40 MWp (Megawatts peak). The plant is constructed on the area of one acre and is connected to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) power grid so that it can be used in times of need.
A release by CIAL said that the solar power plant will help the airport to produce almost 1.60 lakh units of power per day in comparison to the daily consumption of 1.30 lakh units. The release added that the airport has also introduced high-density polyethylene floats which are a cost-effective option. 1,300 photovoltaic panels were mounted and laid over two artificial lakes located in the 13 acre CIAL golf course.
VJ Kurian, Founder Managing Director, CIAL, credited the success of the plant to relentless efforts of the company in bringing the new technologies and working philosophy which is parallel to the global standards. He added that CIAL has always been reinventing itself and one of the innovations which proved that people can rely on green energy for high energy consumer like airport. Such innovations have helped the airport win the Champions of the Earth award by the United Nations Organisation. The technical assistance was provided by CIEL TERRA, which is a French company.