KOCHI: The Cochin International Airport Ltd ( CIAL ) is all set to become the first airport in the country to be fully powered by solar power A 12 MW solar power plant in the airport premises will be inaugurated by the State Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on August 18.As part of its initiative to become the first ‘green airport’ in the country, CIAL had commissioned two solar plants of smaller capacity in 2013. The success of these plants led CIAL authorities to set up a 12 MW plant in 45 acres near the cargo complex.The plant with 46,000 solar panels can produce 52,000 units of power daily. This is equal to the daily requirement of power by CIAL at present. “This means, CIAL is meeting its entire power requirement from solar power”, he said.The total cost of the project is around Rs 62 crore. The government has also entrusted CIAL with the construction of 8 mini hydel projects. The projects spread over Kozikkode, Kannur, Kochi, Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Kollam will have a total installed capacity of 50 MW.The solar power plant was built by CIAL in 6 months. The electricity that it produces will be fed in to the KSEB grid. CIAL will buy the power that it requires from KSEB.The solar plant will help CIAL to reduce carbon emissions equal to 1.75 lakh MT for the next 25 years. This is equal to planting 30 lakh trees.