Solid waste to close energy shortfall at Delhi airport

The operators of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India, have announced new plans that could have the triple effect of reducing energy shortfalls in Delhi, preventing the overflow of landfills, and reducing the demand for water.

Private-sector Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) was granted a contract in 2006 to operate and improve the airport for 30 years. DIAL is a joint venture of GMR Group, Airports Authority of India, Fraport, and Eraman Malaysia.

DIAL said it has established a partnership with GMR Energy and SELCO International to build a Rs 1.4 billion ($28.6 million) plant that generates energy using municipal waste. The plant, to be built on 5.7 acres, is expected to be commissioned in late 2010.

The operators say the plant could put an end to electricity blackouts at the airport, as well as provide excess power to the electric grid. The plant is expected to have a generating capacity of 10 megawatts, with about half to be sold to distribution company BSES, which is part of the Tata Group.

With about 4,000 MW of generating capacity, Delhi still has a shortfall of about 400 MW. Across India, the power grid can be intermittent and insufficient. It is estimated to have a 15 percent to 17 percent energy shortfall during peak demand (see India to remove cap on wind incentives).   

In addition, Delhi's landfill sites are running out of capacity. The proposed plant would need 1,300 metric tons (1,433 U.S. tons) of municipal waste a day, which is 100 metric tons more than Delhi produces each day, according to DIAL. The waste would be provided by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which called for bids to build the waste-to-energy plant on government land in Ghazipur.

DIAL has installed 300 rainwater harvesting pits to reduce the airport's water demand. DIAL also plans to build drainage systems alongside runways and taxiways.

India has the fastest-growing passenger load in the world, but air traffic has declined as rising fuel costs have led to higher fares, putting the pressure on airlines and airports to reduce costs.

In April, state-owned and Mumbai-based Air India said its strict fuel-efficiency measures are expected to reduce annual fuel consumption by 12 billion U.S. gallons, saving $9 million (see Air India fuel-efficiency push saves $9M).

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