Airports to Generate 200MW of Solar Power as Per an Agreement between AAI and CESC (DISCOM)

An agreement between AAI and private power utility CESC (DISCOM) is signed for supplying excess power to the grid.

As a part of promotion of clean and green energy the civil aviation ministry is considering to generate 200MW of solar power at country’s airports. The aimed target of achieving 200MW in next five to six years across airports announced, Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Authority of India (AAI) airports, Civil Aviation Minister.

“With the commissioning of 15 MW power generation here, total generating capacity from this clean energy route has gone up to 90 MW at the AAI-operated airports,” he added upon inaugurating a 15MW ground mounted solar power plant at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International airport, Kolkata.

The minister also mentioned that in order to reach the goal of 200-MW solar power, the state governments to convince to accept net-metering by way of giving solar credits.

“Somehow, we have not been able to convince the state governments in this regard so far. God willing, we will be successful,” he added. Total solar power generation in private airports currently stands at 45 MW, Raju said.

An agreement between AAI and private power utility CESC (DISCOM) is signed for supplying excess power to the grid. This is called ‘net metering benefit’ and AAI has obtained permission from the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission for it, AAI officials said.

Source: PTI