Coal news and updates

IPA to set up wind power projects in major ports

The India Ports Association (IPA), on behalf of the major ports and Ministry of Shipping, has been entrusted with the job of setting up wind power projects across the country’s major ports. For starters, the wind farms will be set up in four major ports.

In a first step in this direction, the IPA has invited applications for a consultant to assist in setting up of an on-shore 50 MW wind power project in Tamil Nadu or at a suitable location on a contractual basis.

The terms of engagement will be initially for a period of one year which may be extended, subject to satisfactory performance.

The IPA has already floated a tender for installation of the wind farm. Work order for the same will be issued in the next two months and the project is expected to be commissioned by the end of the next financial year. Tamil Nadu is a leader in wind energy farming in the country.

Chennai Port, meanwhile, is gearing up invest around Rs 100 crore in a 14.5-MW wind farm which is likely to meet almost all its energy requirements. In fact, it is all set to go green by installing a Rs 92-lakh 500-KW solar power plant too, in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. Recently, the first phase of the 100 KW solar plant was commissioned at the port hospital.

The plant, inaugurated by the port’s chairman, is expected to generate 500 units of power which would meet 40% of the requirements of the hospital. The prime feature of the project is to reduce 250 kg of carbon emissions per day.

For the remaining 400 KW solar power, the port authorities have prepared an estimate amounting to Rs 3.68 crore. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the current year.

In another green initiative, the Chennai Port Administration is mixing bio-diesel in the ratio of 1:10 in one of the port’s tugs and locomotives. The harbour waters are being cleaned on a daily basis by the pollution control cell of the port.

The Union shipping ministry has decided to implement green measures at all the 13 major ports in the country to make them compliant with pollution control norms.