India’s Civil Aviation Sector Hits Major Milestone With Over Half Of Airports Now Powered By 100 Per Cent Green Energy

Over 50 per cent of operational airports in India have transitioned to 100 per cent green energy, the Parliament was informed on Thursday (27 March).

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) revealed that 87 (around 55 per cent) out of 159 airports are now fully powered by green energy, including solar and wind power.

"87 airports out of 159 operational airports i.e. approx. 55% of operational airports have achieved 100% usage of Green Energy," Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

The minister said that the airport operators including Airports Authority of India (AAI) have installed solar power plants at various locations or airports for generation and self-consumption of green and renewable energy to encourage green energy usage at the airports.

"In addition, few airports are also procuring green energy through open access," he added.

"Other initiatives include adoption of building design as per Green building Standards, conversion of conventional vehicles to electric vehicles, energy efficient Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), lighting and baggage handling systems etc.," the minister said.

Mohol said that the Civil Aviation Ministry has advised all the operational airports with scheduled operations and developers of the upcoming greenfield airports to work towards achieving carbon neutrality and net zero which, among other things, include use of green energy.

The ministry has also organised knowledge sharing sessions to standardise Carbon Accounting and Reporting framework of Indian airports as well as to create awareness on climate change mitigation.

"Further, airport operators with scheduled operations have been advised to map the carbon emission at their respective airports and to work towards carbon neutrality & net zero emissions in a phased manner," the minister added.

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