Visakhapatnam Port to Source its Energy Needs from Solar Power

After meeting its peak energy requirement of 12 million units per annum for powering the port and its BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) operators, the port authority is selling the surplus 5 million units to the State.

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The Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) has confirmed that after achieving its financial growth target for the fiscal year three months ahead of schedule, it has now become the first and only major port in India to meet all its energy needs from solar power generated by its plant.

The port which houses a 10 MW solar PV power plant, generates close to 17 million units of power every year. After meeting its peak energy requirement of 12 million units per annum for powering the port and its BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) operators - Vizag General Cargo Berth, Visakha Container Terminal and Essar Vizag Terminal Limited, the port authority is selling the surplus 5 million units to the State.

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Noida-based solar solutions provider, Jackson Engineers Limited is operating the power plant after commissioning the plant near the Visakhapatnam International Airport in 2015. The project involving an investment of around ₹60 crore and an area of 50 acres was commissioned within one and a half year.

Visakhapatnam PT has also forged a tie-up with the Solar Energy Corporation Limited (SECL) to harness rooftop solar power to generate revenue from idle rooftops. The project management consultants have entered into an agreement with the port authority to charge just Rs 3.90/kWh without escalation for 25 years.

The plan is to set up solar facilities worth 550 kW, for which the process has been set in motion.