Cochin International Airport is the seventh busiest airport in India handling more than 1,000 flights a week, and consumes nearly 48,000 units of electricity every day.

million per year power bill borne by the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), which prompted the need to look for greener and cheaper solutions, according to the airport's Managing Director VJ Kurian.

cost of installation of the 12MWp solar plant. It took around six months to complete. The plant can generate 48,000 units of electricity per day.

CIAL is hopeful of recouping the costs in less than six years. So far it has been a smooth journey for the airport, says Mr Kurian.

The airport is looking to inaugurate a new international wing in January which will require more energy than what the existing plant is generating.