Bengaluru, December 2016 – Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the public sector aerospace and defence company has set up a 3.5 WM solar power plant for providing electricity to its airport facility in the cityof Bangalore, according to a company release.

The statement stated that the project built at the cost of Rs 25 crore will enable the company to use solar energy and reduce dependency on conventional sources to power its airport facilities, including the Tejas Light Combat Aircract (LCA) production complex. Spread over 23 acres with 12,985 solar modules installed, the single-axis tracker based project is the first at an airport in the country. The plant can generate up to 24,000 units of electricity per day depending on sunlight.

“The renewable solar project is an example of promoting climate protection and conservation of resources for meeting our energy needs,” said T Suvarna Raju, Chairman and Managing Director, HAL, during the inauguration. “In addition to cost savings, the 3,900 kW peak (kWp) solar facility will reduce emissions equivalent to 166,257 tonnes of carbon dioxide and 384,921 barrels of crude oil and planting of 190,921 trees,” he added.

As part of its commitment to harness renewable sources for its growing energy needs, the company is setting up 50 MW capacity solar plant in two phases over the next two years, with 35.8 MW on open lands and 9.2 MW on roof-tops.

The company has also commissioned a 6.3-MW wind power plant at Harapanahalli in Davangere district, about 300 km from Bengaluru, for its captive power needs.