Kochi: The solar power project by Cochin International Airport Limited (Cial) may soon be a model for similar projects around the world. As part of International Solar Alliance (ISA)’s initiative to find out suitable models to be incorporated to achieve its plan of massive deployment of solar energy by 2030, a delegation consisting of ambassadors/high commissioners of 40 countries will visit Cial on Wednesday.
Cial, the worlds’ first airport fully operated on solar energy, has been identified by ISA as one of the models. The delegation comprises of the ambassadors/high commissioners of 25 African countries, including Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria and Tanzania, and the remaining from countries like France, Brazil, Chile, Malaysia, Bolivia and Sri Lanka.
“The proposed visit will explore the possibility of ISA’s joint venture (JV) with Cial in implementing its vision of mobilizing more than $1,000 billion of investments needed by 2030 for massive deployment of solar energy around the world. Cial, which has proved the feasibility of solar energy to run an airport, will offer its expertise to ISA. The visit will give a fillip to Cial’s effort in taking its project to the next level so that it can to contribute globally as a consultant,” said Cial spokesperson P S Jayan.
The high-profile delegation will reach Cial at 10am on Wednesday and will have a discussion with the airport authorities. Later they will be guided to Cial’s main solar power plant for a field visit. At present Cial’s total installed capacity is 40 MWp producing 1.63 lakh unit of power a day whereas the requirement stands at 1.53 lakh units.
ISA is an alliance of 74 countries initiated by India and France in 2015 sharing the ambition to undertake joint efforts required to reduce the cost of finance and the cost of technology in solar energy production.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
