AAI, NTPC sign MoU to make airports 100% solar-powered

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The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN), a subsidiary of NTPC Ltd, for setting up solar power plants and adoption of electric vehicles at AAI airports.

The MoU will lead to the setting up of solar power plants at identified AAI Airports using NVVN’s own resources and expertise. The AAI shall purchase the solar energy generated from these plants on a long-term basis at the tariff discovered through competitive bidding. It will provide adequate land/rooftop space to NVVN free of cost.

In the initial phase, NVVN will take up the projects at airports in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. AAI Airports in Tamil Nadu have solar power plants with 3.5 MWp capacity, and 12 MW solar energy is being purchased through open access for Chennai Airport. Airports in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan require a solar capacity of around 55 MW and 8 MW, respectively, to become 100% solar-powered.

The AAI and NVVN will also work towards supporting electric vehicle adoption by creating public charging infrastructure and promoting electric vehicles at airports. A plan will be developed to adopt electric vehicles on the city side and airside at various airports, along with the provision of EV charging stations.

As per the MoU, NVVN will also undertake any other commercially feasible energy sector activity like the purchase of solar energy through open access on a mutually agreed basis.

AAI chairman Arvind Singh said, “Initially, few AAI Airports will be taken up under this initiative with the target of making them 100% green. NTPC has excellent project implementation skills, and AAI is looking forward to work closely with NVVN in its journey towards exploring alternative solutions for generating green energy at AAI airports.”

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