Green champ: Hubballi Airport exports power worth Rs 12 cr; 1st AAI facility to do so

Hubballi Airport generated 2.4 crore units of electricity in the last two years through its solar power plant and exported power worth Rs 12.32 crore to other airports in the state, making it the first AAI-run facility in India to do so, officials said.

Setting an example in energy self-sufficiency, the solar power plant is capable of generating over 1.2 crore units of clean electricity annually. This contributes to an estimated lifetime reduction of 2.15 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions, according to officials.

The 8 MW solar power plant is spread over 38 acres and was installed on the airport premises at a cost of Rs 33.26 crore under the Sustainable Green Airport Mission (SUGAM) scheme. The plant was commissioned in December 2022.

Solar power generated at Hubballi Airport is being supplied to Hubballi, Belagavi, Mysuru and Bengaluru HAL airports. Airports Authority of India (AAI) establishments at Ballari Radar station, Bengaluru GAGAN Air-navigation monitoring station, Kempegowda International Airport’s AAI staff residential colony and Mangaluru International Airport’s AAI staff residential colony are also receiving power from the plant.

Hubballi Airport Director Rupesh Kumar said the solar plant generated 2.4 crore units of green energy and the generated electricity helped save Rs 6 crore power bills annually of AAI airports and establishments in the state.

“After supplying power to AAI establishments through the grid, we generated Rs 2.13 crore revenue from surplus power sold to the KEB,” he noted.

As per data provided by the Hubballi Airport, during 2023-24, the solar plant generated 1.22 crore units of electricity and saved Rs 6.35 crore electricity bills for AAI airports and establishments. During 2024-25, the plant generated 1.18 crore units of electricity and saved Rs 5.97 crore on electricity bills.

The Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East recognised the airport for its efforts. The ACI awarded it the Platinum Recognition— the highest level of honour—under the category ‘Sustainable Energy at Airports’ among airports handling less than 6 million passengers per annum in the Green Airports Recognition 2025.