Govt plans 160 MW renewable energy projs at major ports by '17

Shipping Ministry is keen to promote the use of renewable sources of energy and is in the process of installing 160.64 MW solar and wind-based power systems at all major ports at a cost of Rs 408 crore.

"The Ministry aims to set up 90.64 MW of solar energy capacity at twelve major ports and 70 MW of wind energy capacity at four major ports by 2017," Shipping Ministry said in a statement.

These ports have started the process of setting up the renewable energy projects from their profit earnings, it said adding, that the total financial implications of the solar projects will be 407.7 crore.

The wind energy projects will be executed at three major ports namely Kandla, VO Chidambaranar Port and Kamarajar Port.

The total MW capacity of the wind energy projects is estimated to be 70 MW.

A total of 6.94 MW of solar projects has already been commissioned with Vishakhapatnam Port leading the way with 6.25 MW, the other ports in which solar projects have been commissioned are Kolkata Port, New Manglore Port, VO Chidambaranar Port and Mumbai Port.

The remaining solar power projects will be commissioned phase wise and is expected to be completed by 2017.

These projects are a part of the 'Green Port Initiative' launched by the Ministry of Shipping. These renewable energy projects will help in the reduction of carbon emission and will lead to improvement of the environment around the ports.

The Ministry further said these projects will also help reduce cost of power purchased by utilisation of renewable energy for power generations.