KOCHI: Hardly less than a year after the CIAL Infrastructure - a subsidiary of the Cochin International Airport Ltd, received in-principal nod from the state government to start eight mini hydel power stations with an aggregate capacity of around 44 MW, the company is eyeing bigger stake in the power production sector by tapping green energy resources in the state, which is blessed with natural riches and favourable weather conditions that are tailor-made for harnessing renewable energy.
V J Kurien, Managing Director, CIAL, said the CIAL Infrastructure had already set up two solar power stations with a total capacity of 13 MWp, on the airport premises in order to become the first solar-powered airport in the world.
Now, the company is planning to explore different models of tapping solar energy and hydel power. There is already a proposal before the company to set up floating solar power plants on the water bodies of the state.
“The intention is to explore different models of tapping solar energy, apart from making the best use of all the available renewable sources to harness green energy. The KSEB has already set up a floating plant in Kollam and we are monitoring the result and performance of the power unit. If it turns out to be a successful venture, we would definitely set up floating solar power plants across the state especially in Palakkad, the place which receives abundant sunshine through out the year compared to other places,” he said.
“Besides, the company is also planning to set up low-head hydro power plants at rivers like Muvattupuzhayar and Periyaar. We have already sent a team of officials to Germany and China to study the feasibility of the projects and a delegation from there visited the proposed places here. If it is a viable proposal, we would construct weirs with a height ranging from 2-3 metres at select places as part of generating low-cost hydel power by making use of our natural resources,” Kurien added.
The power generated from these green resources would be supplied to the KSEB. “The power generated from the solar power station will be fed to power grids of KSEB and airport would buy back the power according to its requirements and the leftover power would be sold to KSEB,” the authorities said.
The hydro electrical projects that were given clearances are Kakkadam Poyil, having a capacity of 21 MW, a 3 MW unit at Arippara in Kozhikode, 10 MW unit at Kaithakkolli in Wayanad, Kazhuthuruthi (2 MW) in Kollam, Urumbini (2.2 MW) near Kakkad in Pathanathitta, Thoniyar (2.61 MW) in Idukki , Thooval (1 MW) in Idukki, and Kokkamullu (2 MW) in Kozhikode.
floating solar power plants on cards
■ The CIAL Infrastructure is planning to set up floating solar power plants on the water bodies of the state
■ Eight mini hydel power stations with an aggregate capacity of around 44 MW will be set up in the state
■ Solar power station set up on the airport premises in order to become the first solar-powered airport in the world
■ The company has sent a delegation to Germany and China to study the feasibility of low-head hydro power projects there