Vaikom Becomes India’s First Fully Solar-Powered, Energy-Neutral Boat Station

Vaikom, located along the Vembanad backwaters, is preparing to transition into India’s first fully energy-neutral boat station. The initiative involves shifting both boat services and station-level operations entirely to solar power, removing diesel use from the jetty ecosystem.

The development aligns with Kerala’s ongoing efforts to integrate renewable energy into public transport infrastructure and promote cleaner mobility solutions.

Final Phase of Diesel Replacement

On February 20, Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar will launch three new solar-powered boats, marking the final step in phasing out diesel vessels from the Vaikom route.

At the same time, the Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) will initiate work to convert the jetty’s operational infrastructure to solar energy.

Once the new boats are commissioned, all scheduled services operating from Vaikom will function without fossil fuel dependency.

From Pilot Project to Full Transition

The shift to solar began in 2017 when the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) deployed Aditya, Kerala’s first solar-powered passenger vessel, from the Vaikom jetty.

The induction of the latest boats effectively completes that transition. The new arrangement is expected to result in measurable reductions in operational expenditure alongside cuts in carbon emissions, water contamination, and noise pollution.

According to the SWTD, replacing one diesel vessel with a solar alternative can prevent nearly 40 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Improved Battery Capacity and Service Efficiency

Each new solar vessel has been developed at a cost of ₹3.15 crore and features an upgraded 80 kWh battery system. The earlier version operated with a 50 kWh battery, limiting service hours.

The boats travel at an average speed of 10.8 km per hour and complete the Vaikom–Thavanakadavu stretch in around 15 minutes, approximately five minutes quicker than diesel-operated boats. Each unit can carry up to 75 passengers.

The higher battery capacity allows operations to extend beyond daylight hours. While earlier services were largely restricted between 7 am and 7 pm, the upgraded vessels can now operate until nearly 9 pm.

Solar Integration at the Station Level

The transition extends beyond vessels. The Vaikom boat station itself is being converted into a solar-powered facility.

Each boat is fitted with 20 kW solar panels, and shore-based charging systems are being installed to support clean energy charging during docking.

Shaji V Nair, Director of the Department of Water Transport, said that once the process is complete, all station functions—including lighting and charging—will operate on solar power.

The conversion of the station is estimated to cost approximately ₹30 lakh.

Cost Rationalisation and Long-Term Benefits

The solar boats are capable of drawing power from onboard panels as well as the grid when necessary. However, dependence on grid charging is expected to reduce significantly once the solar infrastructure is fully operational.

Previously, grid-based charging cost between ₹400 and ₹500 per cycle. That expense is projected to decline considerably under the integrated solar model.

With Vaikom completing this transition, Kerala’s inland waterway system may set a benchmark for energy-neutral public transport across India.