Bhopal: In order to achieve zero carbon emission on the campus of Bhopal’s Raja Bhoj airport, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has launched electric vehicles. The campaign has begun with the launching of 2 EVs on the campus.
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 that status is a step towards that objective.
AAI has planned to induct electric vehicles at its offices and airports to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and control vehicular emissions. Director airport, Ram Jee Awasthi said that Bhopal airport has planned to replace the EVs with other vehicles in a phased manner. “We have decided to make full replacement of vehicles with EVs by 2024,” said Awasthi.
AAI will also install high voltage and fast-charging stations at strategic locations to meet the requirements of these vehicles and other airport stakeholders, he said. “We are coming with a parking policy soon. In this policy, we will install EV charging stations on the campus of Bhopal airport,” said Awasthi.
The AAI has also asked the airlines to replace the existing vehicles with the EVs. “Airlines have also shown positive response to replacing the vehicles with the EVs. We are hoping to make 100% change by 2024,” said Awasthi. The Raja Bhoj airport has become one of the airports in the country which achieved the feat of running completely on 100% renewable energy. Bhopal has achieved Level 2+ Carbon Accreditation of Airports Council International (ACI).
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. 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.
