Paradip, Sept. 18: The port trust authorities here have initiated the process to establish a solar photovoltaic power plant to ease its dependence on conventional sources.
Paradip Port Trust (PPT) chairman Rinkesh Roy said a 20MW solar energy park has been proposed.
"The proposed park would be spread over 90 acres of compact and contiguous land. The course of action for the power plant has begun with the invitation of tender bidding process. The project would be implemented in a phased manner. In the first phase, Rs 75 crore has been earmarked for installing 10MW capacity plant," Roy said.
"The land required for the project has been identified. While PPT would bear the entire cost of the project, the government-run Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (Seci) would provide technical expertise," Roy said.
Grids would be installed that would be connected to the solar power plant. Rooftop power panels would also be installed. The project is being implemented by the Union ministry of shipping's solarisation of ports programme. Twelve major ports are being covered under the programme. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust would have the largest solar power project of 25MW capacity while the project in Paradip would be the second largest, said an official.
The solarisation of ports project forms the part of the green port initiative launched by the Union ministry of shipping. The solar project would be environment-friendly and would contribute towards reducing carbon emission. It would also go a long way in minimising the cost of power, said the official.
The Union ministry of shipping has also drawn up an ambitious plan to develop Paradip as a world class, smart industrial port city. As Paradip has a major port with a strong mineral resource presence in the region, it has immense prospect to become a hub of micro small and medium enterprises.
The project will be implemented in Paradip on a public-private partnership basis and it will have multi-modal logistic parks, industrial parks, residential and commercial areas, water management system, waste recycling centre and creek development programme for tourism.
