Vizag Port Trust (VPT) has become the first major port in India to meet its total energy requirement from its solar power plant, reports The Hindu.
The VPT is generating 17 million units of power annually from a 10 MW power plant commissioned for it.
This means not only meeting port and auxiliary requirements for Vizag General Cargo Berth, Visakha Container Terminal and Essar Vizag Terminal Limited but also selling the surplus 5 million units to the state.
A Noida-based company called Jackson Engineers Limited is operating the power plant. The project launched in 2015, with an investment of around Rs 60 crore and an area of 50 acres was commissioned within one and a half year.
VPT has also made a tie-up with Solar Energy Corporation Limited (SECL). The appropriate place has been identified by the corporation, to generate revenue from “idling rooftops”.
The installation, commissioning and operation have been entrusted to project management consultants. The consultants have made an agreement with the port to charge just Rs 3.90 per unit without escalation for 25 years.
VPT Deputy Chairman P L Haranadh said, “ We are the only government sector port to meet the total requirement from solar power generated by us”.