Going green: Hyderabad airport commissions its 2nd phase 5MW solar power plant

In 2015, GMR Hyderabad International Airport had commissioned a 5MW solar power plant for its captive consumption.

Spread over an area of 45 acres, more than 30,000 solar panels have been installed to produce 10MW power. Both solar plants have advanced ABB central inverters and poly crystalline PV panels that are far more efficient than mono crystalline solar PV panels.

With the commissioning of this additional capacity, Hyderabad airport will be able to reduce its dependency on the Telangana State Electricity Board by 12 million units per year, thereby saving around Rs. 90 lakhs per month. The additional solar power generation will meet 50 per cent of the energy requirements of the airport. It will also lead to a reduction in carbon footprint by about 28 lakh kg carbon dioxide which is equivalent to saving 1.4 lakh full-grown trees.

"As a sustainable airport operator, we have rolled out many initiatives to actively reduce the carbon emissions. As a member airport of the ACI (Airports Council International), we have committed to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We continue to do our best in that direction," said Pradeep Panicker, the CEO of Hyderabad International Airport.

Hyderabad International Airport has been a pioneer in the field of energy efficiency and a supporter of renewable energy. GHIAL has been recognized at various forums for its energy conservation initiatives. It won the 'CII Excellent Energy Efficient Unit' in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Further, it was judged the 'National Energy Leader' for 2019 and 2020. GHIAL has also received the gold award of the Telangana State Energy Conservation Awards 2020 and CII's Performance Excellence Award in 'Ground Mounted Solar Category'. GHIAL has also achieved 'Level 3+, Neutrality' requirements in 2016 and has maintained this level since then.