Tuesday, September 03, 2013: Embarking on the eco-friendly path, the Biju Patnaik airport will generate 100KW electricity with the help of a solar power plant in order to fulfill day-to-day electricity requirements. For establishing the plant, the airport has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Lanco, a Gurgaon-based private firm. The company is supposed to sell power to the airport. As many as 360 solar photo voltaic (SPV) panels have been installed near the airport. Moreover, every panel has the capacity of generating 300W electricity.
Presently, the airport receives 2,000KW power from 11 KV connection from Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU). The airport pays an amount of Rs 12,00,000 for consuming electricity. In addition to it, after 33KV connection, the airport is supposed to make a payment of around Rs 25,00,000. It maintains a diesel generator set that is capable to providing 750KW power, for backup. The fact is, it being an auto-mode synchronized set provides only needful amount of power.
The need for power has increased due to modernization of the terminal that houses centralized air conditioner, 67 CCTV cameras and lighting at parking, approach road, inside passenger lounge, aero bridge and other installations as well.
“The solar power plant will supplement the power requirement of the airport, which requires 3,000 KW of electricity, to run both the new domestic and proposed international terminals,” The Times of India quoted Airport Director, Sharad Kumar.
