The Indian Ministry of Shipping has announced plans to set up almost 100 megawatts of solar and wind energy capacity at 12 of the country’s major ports.
The Ministry of Shipping recently announced that under the ‘Green Port Initiative’ a total of 136.5 megawatts of renewable energy projects will be implemented at a dozen major ports in the country. These include 91.5 megawatts solar power and 45 megawatts wind energy projects.
Some ports also have some solar power projects operational. A total of 15.2 megawatts solar power capacity has been implemented while 6 megawatts wind energy capacity has also been commissioned.
According to the ministry, these renewable energy projects are expected to offset 136,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year. The projects will also save around Rs 75 crore ($11 million) every year in energy costs.
As per a reply submitted by the Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan in Parliament last year, the funds required for the development of solar plants will be arranged by the ports from their own resources with no contribution from the government.
The initiative would also offset cost of purchasing power from the grid and would help to meet the Renewable Energy Purchase Obligation (RPO), set by the government, mandating a certain percentage of renewables into the total energy mix.
Apart from sea ports, airports around the country are looking to set up solar power projects as well. The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that as many as 143 airports across India are planning to set up a cumulative solar power capacity of 148 megawatts.