For the first time in the history of the Indian port industry, Kattupalli Port has announced that it has utilised the breakwater rock area for the installation of an on-grid solar generation plant, with an installed capacity of 15KWp.
The solar plant will generate around 20 MWH (Megawatt Hour) and avoid carbone mission of 16.4 tCO2 (Total Carbon Dioxide) per year. It has about 34 number of 450 watts capacity solar modules, each designed with mono PERC technology, which requires lesser area for installation. These solarm odules fitted on elevated cantilever structure are designed to withstand adverse weather conditions and windstorms, a Port spokesperson said.
There were many challenges in installing solar modules near a break water location. Solar modules and structures have a high impact of wind and corrosion due to thes ea shore environment. To overcome these challenges, the structures have been designed on the basis ofc antilever principle and the structure materials are made up of hot-dip galvanizedi mild steel. The structures can withstand up to 150 to 200 kmph wind speed.
The spokesperson said We have made history by installing an on-grid solar planto n the break water rock area. This is the first time that such a plant has been built in the country. The port plans to extend this project to a 700 Kwp (kilowatts peak) solar generationp lant, which would cover the entire two kms of North Break Water. The plant will generate around 900 MWH (Units) and avoid carbon emission of 738 tCO2 per year.
The target is to complete this project by the end of July 2022.The plant marks an important mile-stone on a green path towards achieving zeroc arbon emissions. The green energy generated from the on-grid solar generation plant will be used to charge the batteries of electric vehicles, which will be deployed at the port soon. The port is well positioned to do this because of its unique locationâit is located 30 km towards north of Chennai and has connectivity with the hinterland of North Tamilnadu, Chennai, Bangalore region and South Andhra Pradesh. All these locations are highly industrialized.
The plant fits in with our larger and long-term plan of making Katupalli port, one oft he most sustainable ports in southern India. Combined with our superior infrastructure and efficient handling of cargo, we will be able to reduce logistics cost of industries in the region and be one of the key engines of growth.