Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) has become the first major port in India to meet its total energy needs from solar power.
According to The Hindu, Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) from its 10 MW solar power plant is generating 17 million units of power per annum. After meeting the requirement of the port and its BOT operators—Vizag General Cargo Berth, Visakha Container Terminal and Essar Vizag Terminal Limited, it is selling the surplus 5 million units to the State.
NOIDA-based Jackson Engineers Limited after installing solar panels near the Visakhapatnam international airport, is now operating the power plant.
The report state that the project involves an investment of around Rs. 60 crore and an area of 50 acres was launched in 2015. The solar power project was commissioned within one and a half year.
Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) also partnered with Solar Energy Corporation Limited (SECL) to harness rooftop solar power. Suitable places have been identified by the corporation, and the installation, commissioning and operation have been entrusted to project management consultants.
The consultants have entered into an agreement with the port authority to charge just Rs. 3.90 per unit without escalating the charge for 25 years.
There is a plan to generate 550 KW of solar power for which the process has been set in motion.