Kochi: The solar revolution undertaken by Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is set to have unique facets which include bringing the new car parking facility and the adjoining Chengal Canal under solar panels enabling more solar power production. Over 1500 cars will be able to park under the new facility which is near the new international terminal and electric cars will be able to recharge batteries from here. The second phase has 13 MW power capacity which will sustain CIAL fully on solar power even after the inauguration of the new international terminal having 15 lakh sq ft area.
The solar panels above the car park have 2 MW capacity while the 3.5 km solar panel stretch over Chengal canal has 7 MW capacity. Solar panels would also be put around the hangar facility which will have a capacity of 2 MW. The existing facility near the cargo complex has 13.1 MW capacity which is being augmented by 2.4 MW by spreading solar panels over five more acres taking the total covered area to 50 acres. The work on the car parking facility is being undertaken by Tata Power while the work on the structure above Chengal Canal is now in progress.
Currently CIAL is able to produce over 50,000 units per day to meet its power requirements and it is expected that with the commissioning of the new international terminal, the power requirement per day will shoot up to 1 lakh units per day. “With the augmented solar facility, the work on which has now been undertaken, CIAL will be able to meet the additionally required units,” said an official adding there would be only limited units left to part with to the KSEB grid.
