Hubballi Airport Tops AAI Airports in Solar Power Generation Efficiency and Output
Hubballi Airport has emerged as a national leader in green energy, boasting the highest solar power generation among all airports managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The 8MW solar plant, operational since December 2022, not only meets the airport’s own energy needs but also generates a substantial surplus that is supplied to other AAI facilities across the state. This pioneering initiative, which has garnered international recognition, establishes a powerful blueprint for a carbon-neutral and eco-friendly aviation sector in India.
The success of Hubballi Airport’s solar plant is a compelling narrative of financial prudence and environmental stewardship. According to a senior airport official, the facility has generated an impressive 2.4 crore units of power in just two years. This has resulted in a staggering saving of ₹12.4 crore in electricity bills for AAI establishments in Karnataka. The excess power is distributed to various key locations, including the Ballari Radar Station, the Bengaluru Gagan Air-navigation monitoring station, and the residential colonies of AAI staff at both Bengaluru and Mangaluru airports. This collaborative energy model, which has also generated additional revenue by selling power back to the grid, demonstrates a commercially viable pathway towards achieving a zero-net-carbon footprint in the aviation sector.
The journey to this achievement began with a strategic decision to choose Hubballi over Belagavi for the solar plant, a choice guided by a favourable weather history. The plant was installed as part of the Sustainable Green Airport Mission on a sprawling 38-acre site, a project with an initial investment of ₹33.2 crore. This investment is now paying significant dividends, with the airport not only saving millions in electricity costs but also generating a revenue of over ₹2.1 crore from the balanced energy after feeding it to AAI establishments. This impressive return on investment showcases how large-scale green projects can be both environmentally responsible and economically profitable.
The environmental impact of this initiative is equally profound. By harnessing solar power, the airport is expected to offset an estimated 2.1 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions over the plant’s lifespan, a monumental contribution to India’s climate goals. This commitment to sustainability has not gone unnoticed on the global stage. The airport was recently honoured with the Platinum In The Green Airport Recognition-2025 award by the Airports Council International Asia-Pacific and Middle East, a prestigious recognition for global green airports. The Hubballi Airport’s journey from a regional hub to a beacon of green aviation serves as an inspirational model for urban planners and policymakers, proving that with strategic foresight and a commitment to renewable energy, even high-energy consumption sectors can be transformed into champions of a sustainable, eco-friendly, and equitable future.
