The GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) has commissioned its second phase 5 MW solar project and raised its solar power capacity to 10 MW.

In 2015, the airport had commissioned a 5 MW solar project for its captive consumption.

The project is spread over an area of 45 acres, with more than 30,000 solar panels installed to produce 10 MW of power. Both the solar projects have ABB central inverters and polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) modules.

With the commissioning of this additional capacity, GMR Hyderabad International Airport will reduce its power dependency from the Telangana State Electricity Board by 12 MU per year and save around ₹9 million (~$120,697) each month.

With this addition of solar power generation, 50% of the energy requirements of the Hyderabad airport will be met, leading to a reduced carbon footprint of about 2.8 million kg of carbon dioxide, which amounts to conserving 140,000 full-grown trees.

Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GHIAL, said, “GMR Hyderabad International Airport is committed to green and renewable energy, and this is a major milestone for us and a critical step in the right direction. As a sustainable airport operator, we have rolled out many initiatives to actively reduce carbon emissions. As a member airport of the Airports Council International (ACI), we are committed to attaining net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

Many airports across the country have commissioned solar power projects on their premises. Solar projects have already been installed at airports in cities including Bengaluru, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Chennai, Calicut, Trichy, Vijayawada, and Tirupati.

While some are already running on solar power, many others have announced tenders for the installation of solar systems.

For instance, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) recently invited bids for facility management and comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) of the 1.5 MW grid-connected rooftop solar project at integrated cargo complex, Chennai Airport. AAI also issued a tender for invited bids for the O&M of a 2 MW of rooftop solar project for three years at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.

In November 2020, AAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) to set up solar power facilities at its airports. Following this, NVVN invited bids from consultants to assess the potential and feasibility of ground-mounted and rooftop solar at the airports under the management of the AAI.