Thoothukudi
The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust has proposed to install grid-connected 25 MW onshore and offshore wind farms at an estimated cost of ₹125 crore in the port’s estate.
The National Institute of Wind Energy, Chennai, would be carrying out a study to identify the feasible locations, capacity and height of wind turbines. Various parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, pressure and solar radiation levels have to be monitored and analysed for a period of one year.
Meteorological masts with speed monitoring instruments, wind vanes, temperature sensor, pyranometer and pressure sensor have been installed at two locations at the port. A centralised automatic data logger helps in real-time data collection and transmission to the NIWE.
The port had previously established 500 KW rooftop solar power plants on a total area of 5,530 sq.m. at a cost of ₹4.78 crore. With an average monthly power generation of 5,800 KWh units, the initiative has helped the port reduce its carbon footprint by about 476 metric tonnes per year.
In addition to this, the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA), Chennai, would be installing 140KW solar rooftop power plant at various locations at a cost of ₹76 lakh, which is expected to generate two lakh units of power every year, and is expected to be commissioned by the first quarter of 2020.
In 2018, the port was awarded with ‘Roll of Honour’ award by TEDA for its various green initiatives.
Chairman T.K. Ramachandran, in a press release, said that the port had good green credentials by implementing various other projects such as shore power supply to ships, sprinkler system and fogging machine at the coal yard, energy-saving LED lighting systems, mobile hoppers with electrically operated dust suppression systems and ambient air quality monitoring stations. “The port will continue to reduce its carbon footprint and set a trend among major ports in the country for adopting an integrated Green Energy Port Model,” he said.
