PARADIP: Inordinate delay in completion of the solar power plant in Paradip port has caused resentment among the stakeholders including port workers, employees and trade union leaders. With the contract agency abandoning project work, the fate of the proposed plant hangs in balance.The Central Government had proposed to set up utility-scale solar photovoltaic power plants at major ports in the country in 2016. The proposal was a part of Green Port Initiative launched by the Union Ministry of Shipping to reduce carbon emissions and improve environment besides reducing the cost of power purchased from grids. While the Indian Ports’ Association (IPA) was entrusted with project planning, the port concerned had to arrange funds for setting up the solar plant.
As per the plan, it was decided to set up a 20 mw solar energy park in 90 acres of compact and contiguous land in Paradip. The authorities of Paradip Port Trust (PPT) had also decided to start the plant in a phased manner. The cost of the first phase work to set up 10 mw capacity plant was estimated at `75 crore.While PPT identified the land in the port town for the proposed plant, crores of rupees were spent on sand filling, fencing and other activities. However, Surana Solar Ltd, a Hyderabad-based firm, which was awarded with the operations and maintenance contract for the 10 mw plant, has stopped the work.
Trade union leaders and workers said the proposed solar plant would not only contribute towards reducing carbon emission but also go a long way in minimising the cost of power. However, uncertainty looms over the plant’s fate due to inordinate delay in completion of the project, they said. The completion date of the proposed solar plant was August, 2017.
Contacted, PPT Chairman Rinkesh Ray admitted the delay and said port authorities have terminated the contract of the Hyderabad-based firm for failing to complete the project in time. Steps are being taken to invite fresh bidders for installation of the solar plant, he said.Ray further said PPT has decided not to use the earmarked 90 acres for the solar plant as land in port area is precious. Opinions of technical experts have been sought to set up the solar plant on rooftops to avoid wastage of land in the port town, he added.
Source: newindianexpress
