NTPC and AAI Sign MoU to Promote Solar Plants and EVs at Airports

Newcastle Airport to employ sources of renewable energy

AAI has signed an MoU with NVVN, an NTPC subsidiary, to promote the usage of EVs and set up solar power plants at airports across India.

#AAI today signed an MoU with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (NVVN) for setting up solar power plants & adoption of e-vehicles at AAI airports. The MoU was signed by GM (Engg.), AAI & CGM, NVVN in presence of Sh. Arvind Singh, Chairman, AAI & Sh. Gurdeep Singh, CMD @ntpclimited. pic.twitter.com/Aw7yMrRFc0

— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) November 5, 2020

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN), a wholly-owned NTPC subsidiary, to promote usage of electric vehicles (EVs) and set up solar power plants at airports. NVVN, under the terms of the MoU, will be provided adequate land and rooftop space free of cost at identified AAI airports to set up solar power plants.

The AAI owns and manages more than 100 airports across India. Only airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mangaluru and Lucknow are managed by private companies and not by the AAI.

According to the press statement issued by AAI, in the initial phase, NVVN will be taking up the projects at airports in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. The solar capacity required at airports in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan is around 55 MW and 8 MW, respectively to become 100 percent solar-powered airports

Further adding that the AAI airports in Tamil Nadu have solar power plants with 3.5 MWp capacity currently. And that 12 MW solar power is being purchased through open access for the Chennai airport.

“The AAI and NVVN will also jointly work towards supporting the government of India’s initiatives for adoption of electric vehicles by the creation of public charging infrastructure and promoting the usage of electric vehicles at airports,” the statement noted. A plan will be developed for the adoption of electric vehicles on the city side and airside at various airports and the provision of electric vehicle charging stations, the release mentioned.

The MoU was signed in the presence of senior officials from the AAI, NTPC as well as NVVN, it stated.

In May, we had reported that the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and NTPC are planning to set up a JV company for the renewable energy business. According to an ONGC statement, the two Maharatna’s entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 21, 2020, in Delhi to formalise this arrangement. The MoU will enable both companies to achieve their targets in the renewable energy business.

As per the MoU, NTPC and ONGC will explore and set up renewable power assets including offshore wind, in India and overseas, and explore opportunities in the fields of sustainability, storage, e-mobility, and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) compliant projects.