Visakhapatnam: The Vizag port, which set to become the first major port in the country to run its entire operations on solar power, plans to sell the excess power it generates.
While the port needs around 10 million units per year, it will eventually generate 15 million units, allowing it to sell the additional 5 million units to the state discom. Thanks to solar power, the port will save Rs 1 on each unit, helping it cut operational expenditure.
The Vizag port is investing around Rs 57 crore for setting up a 10 MW solar power plant. A Noida-based renewable energy firm had bagged the project.
1 MW power is being generated from the solar plant since last week. Another MW will be generated from next week. The remaining 8 MW will be added to the capacity from April 1.
“From March 31, onward we are confident that our entire operations will be run on solar power. Apart from contributing to clean environment, Vizag port can also substantially save on power costs with solar power. The additional electricity will be sold to the state discom. After the 10 MW, we have plans to add 5 MW more in the coming month as part of our long term green initiative strategy,” Visakhapatnam Port Trust deputy chairman P.L. Harnadh told this correspondent.
The Union shipping ministry plans to commission 135 MW of solar power projects by 2020 in eight major ports. These include the Vizag, Paradip, Kandla, Kamarajar, VO Chidambaranar, JNPT, New Mangalore and Kolkata ports.
Wind energy projects capable of generating 50 MW are also planned to be developed at VO Chidambaranar, Chennai and New Mangalore ports by 2020.
