The solar power generation from Cochin International Airport Limited(CIAL), the first fully solar energy powered airport in the world will be almost doubled in five months.
It will be increased from current 15.4 MW to 28.8 MW by February by upgrading the installation capacity of the existing solar power plant, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday while inaugurating the 22nd annual general body meeting (AGM) of the shareholders.
With the commissioning of the 12 MWp solar power plant last year, CIAL increased the power generation to 15.4 MWp by the installation of more photo voltaic panels.
So far, the total installations produced 23.5 million units of power. Following the huge success of experimenting with alternate energy sources, the company has now decided to produce 1.15 million units of power a day by doubling the solar power capacity, he said.
The meeting ratified all recommendations of the director board including distributing 25 % dividend to the 18,000 investors for the financial year 2015-16 resulting the total dividend pay out since 2003-04 to 178 %, apart from doubling of the solar power generation capacity.
The Chief Minister also cited that the company has registered a robust growth during 2015-16 Fiscal. It logged a net profit of Rs.175.22 Cr, with a turnover of Rs. 524.53 Cr.
When compared to the previous FY, the rate of growth of profit was 21.12 % and that of turn over was 26.71 %. The airport has also handled 7.77 million passengers during the last FY. The new international terminal will be operational with in two months.
Source:The New India Express
