Plans by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to establish solar power plants at its airports have progressed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

AAI proposals to meet not only its own requirements but also to feed surplus power into the grid include the installation of 50 MW of cumulative capacity solar plants in Phase I, which will be enhanced to 150 MW over a period of time.

The plants will be installed on surplus land available within the AAI portfolio and on the large roof tops of AAI’s structures.

In all about 30 Airports have been identified by AAI as suitable for the establishment of solar power plants.

Shri Ashok Lavasa, India’s Secretary of Civil Aviation, highlighted the importance of tapping solar energy through various outlets, including storage of the power generated in rechargeable batteries. He also emphasized the potential, including roof top surfaces, as large areas are available at airports.