AAI as a responsible organization has taken a progressive step towards conserving environment, reduction of carbon emissions and working towards making AAI airports carbon neutral. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today between AAI and NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd., (NVVN) subsidiary of NTPC Ltd for setting up solar power plants and adoption of e-vehicles at AAI Airports
Ms. Reena Rai, General Manager (Engineering), AAI and Shri K.S. Bandyopadhyay, Chief General Manager, NVVN signed the MoU at AAI`s Corporate Headquarters in presence of Shri Arvind Singh, Chairman, AAI, Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD (NTPC), Shri A K Gautam, Chairman (NVVN) and Shri Mohit Bhargava, CEO (NVVN)
The MoU will lead to the setting up of Solar Power Plants at identified AAI Airports using NVVN’s own resources & expertise benefiting AAI to purchase the Solar Energy generated from Solar Projects on long term basis at the specified tariff, which will be determined through Competitive Bidding on transparent e-tendering procurement portal and in line with the guidelines of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) Regulations. AAI will provide the adequate land /roof top space to NVVN free of cost.
In the initial phase, NVVN will be taking 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. The solar capacity required at Airports in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan is around 55 MW and 8 MW respectively to become 100% solar powered airports.
AAI and NVVN will also jointly work towards supporting Govt. of India initiatives for adoption of electric vehicles by creation of public charging infrastructure and promoting usage of electric vehicles at airports. A plan will be developed for adoption of electric vehicles on city side and airside at various airports and provision of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. As per the MoU, NVVN will also undertake any other commercially feasible activity on energy sector like Purchase of Solar Energy through Open Access etc. on mutually agreed basis
On the occasion, Shri Arvind Singh, Chairman, AAI said “Initially few AAI Airports will be taken up under this initiative with the target of making them 100% Green Airports. 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 and to make Carbon Neutral Airports”.
This partnership will not only reduce adverse impact on society and ecosystem but will also help AAI in cutting down the operational and logistics costs.