BHOPAL : Bhopal’s Raja Bhoj Airport has become one of the airports in the country which achieved the feat of running completely on renewable energy. The airport is not just generating solar power bus is also purchasing green energy from the discoms. As a result, the airport has achieved Level 2+ Carbon Accreditation of Airports Council International (ACI).
Airports are significant sources of carbon emissions due to their large energy demands. However, airports are making strides reducing their environment impact by transitioning to completely running on renewable sources of energy. Bhopal’s airport getting the status is a step towards that objective.
Director airport, Ram Jee Awasthi told TOI that Bhopal airport has 1 MW ground mounted solar power plant since 2017 and additional carport solar power plant commissioned in February 2023 to generate renewable energy.
“Bhopal airport has taken various steps to save electrical energy like uses of LED lights, VFD operated AHUs, eco-friendly refrigerator for air conditioning, energy efficient motors, cooling towers and others,” said Awasthi. He claimed that the total electricity generation from solar plants in 2022-23 was 13,37,596 units which has saved 1060 tons of Co2 emission.
In all, there are 148 operational airports including 137 airports, two water aerodromes and nine heliports in the country.
Incidentally, carbon neutral airports have zero carbon footprints and operate completely on green energy such as hydro and solar power for all their energy needs. These airports also offset any residual CO2 emissions under their direct control.
Carbon-neutral airports are ones that have taken on green practices on a larger scale, have purchased carbon credits, and have things such as wastewater recycling, solar energy, LED lighting and more that can offset carbon emissions.
As per the officials, Airport authority of India (AAI) has given targets to achieve 100% Green Energy at its operational airports by 2024. The Airports Council International (ACI) has launched the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, which is a global standard for carbon management at airports.
The programme helps airports to assess their carbon emissions, develop a carbon management plan, and reduce their carbon footprint. As of date, there are only three airports in Asia-Pacific that have achieved this feat. Hyderabad and Bengaluru have also achieved the status of being Carbon Neutral (Level 3+).
Source: TNN
