12 major ports propose 83 MW solar power plants

India's 12 major ports plan to set up 83 MW solar photovoltaic power plant projects from their own resources, Parliament was informed today.
"The Government proposes to implement utility-scale solar photovoltaic power plant projects at various major ports across the country. The funds for establishment of solar power projects are arranged by the major ports from their own resources and no funds have been released from the ministry," Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said in a written reply.
Of the 82.64 MW capacity, Vizag, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and New Mangalore ports have set up 6.84 MW projects so far, he said.

The step is part of the Green Port Initiative launched by the Ministry of Shipping, Radhakrishnan informed the Lok Sabha.
Its objectives include contributing to reduction in carbon emissions and consequently improving environment besides reducing cost of power purchased from grid by utilisation of solar power for power generation.
India has 12 major ports -- Kandla, Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Ennore, V O Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) which handle approximately 61 per cent of the country's total cargo traffic.