Hubballi Airport has become the first AAI-run facility in India to export solar-generated electricity—delivering worth Rs 12.32 crore to multiple airports—illustrating a significant step in sustainable aviation infrastructure. Over the past two years, the airport’s 8 MW solar plant produced 2.4 crore units of clean electricity, exporting surplus power to Hubballi, Belagavi and Mysuru airports, as well as key AAI installations including Bengaluru HAL residential quarters and Mangaluru Airport staff housing.
Commissioned in December 2022 under the Sustainable Green Airport Mission (SUGAM), the 38‑acre facility cost Rs 33.26 crore and boasts an annual generation capacity of approximately 1.2 crore units—offsetting an estimated 2.15 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions during its lifespan. The plant offset annual electricity costs for AAI establishments by about Rs 6 crore, split nearly evenly between Rs 6.35 crore saved in 2023–24 and Rs 5.97 crore in 2024–25 . Notably, surplus power sales to the Karnataka Electricity Board (KEB) generated an additional Rs 2.13 crore in revenue . Spread across 38 acres with over 400 panels installed on 24 acres, the photovoltaic plant is integrated with Karnataka’s grid to supply renewable energy to five airports, multiple AAI facilities, and radar and navigation stations across the state.
These efforts earned Hubballi Airport the prestigious Platinum Recognition in the 2025 Green Airports programme by Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East. The award honours sustainable energy leadership among airports with fewer than six million annual passengers. Karnataka has thus taken a precedent-setting position, achieving fully green electricity for multiple airport facilities. Union ministers have highlighted this as a key milestone towards India’s renewable energy goal of 50% share by 2030. By demonstrating operational green self-reliance, AAI is forging a roadmap for other national airports to reduce carbon footprints through scalable, high-output solar installations. The Hubballi model blends local energy security with long-term financial savings and climate resilience. While comparable solar setups exist at Kempegowda and Mangaluru airports, Hubballi stands out as the first to channel export-grade solar power to other AAI-run airports, underscoring its role as a regional green energy hub.
For regional communities, this initiative means indirect benefits—promoting cleaner air, supporting eco-conscious economic growth, and reducing energy costs across neighbouring districts served by these airports. Looking ahead, AAI sees potential for replicating this model across India’s greenfield and brownfield airports. Achieving a critical mass of such projects will be pivotal to India’s aviation sector meeting zero-carbon targets and strengthening energy resilience. At a time when global aviation grapples with balancing growth against climate commitments, Hubballi Airport has proven that sustainable infrastructure can be both commercially viable and ecologically responsible. Its success offers a clear blueprint for en route to low-carbon, inclusive urban ecosystems.
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