India’s major ports to be fully self-sustainable on electricity through green energy by 2030

New Delhi: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said by 2030, all the major Ports are to be made fully self-sustainable on electricity.

“Government is committed to reduce the emissions from the shipping sector and promote the development of net zero and low-emission solutions” Sonowal responded during a reply in Lok Sabha on Friday.

The Minister said, all the energy requirements of the port are to be met through renewable sources, adding that initiative also includes Green Warehousing utilizing green/ natural solutions such as natural light or energy efficiency lighting, automated and compact storage systems, rooftop solar, using HVLS fans and rainwater harvesting.

India intended to increase the share of renewable energy to 60 percent of total power demand of each of its major port from its present share of less than 10 percent.

Earlier in September last year, the Minister  had said, 50 per cent of port equipment will be electrified by 2030, and all ports shall supply shore power to all visiting ships in a three-phased manner by that time.

“The ports have also aimed to reduce Carbon emissions per ton of cargo handled by 30 per cent  by 2030” he added.

He said India will be implementing International Maritime Organization (IMO) energy efficiency requirements for existing ships and carbon intensity requirements on all its vessels whether coastal or international in order to help achieve IMO GHG reduction targets.

India is already supplying shore power to ships with power demand less than 150 KW at present and targeting to supply shore power to all visiting ships.

India is working actively at Marine Environmental Protection Committee of IMO to help devise acceptable regulatory requirements for GHG emission reduction in line with IMO GHG initial strategy.

In 2018, IMO adopted an initial strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships, setting out a vision which confirms IMO’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions from international shipping and to phasing them out as soon as possible.

According to IMO’s  initial GHG strategy to reduce the CO2 emission by alleast 40 percent by 2030, and  pursuing efforts towards 70 percent  by 2050 compared to 2008.

The Minister said to develop global standard ports in India, Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 has identified initiatives such as developing world-class Mega Ports, transhipment hubs and infrastructure modernization of ports.

“MIV 2030 estimates the investments to the tune of Rs. 1,00,000–1,25,000 Crores for capacity augmentation and development of world-class infrastructure at Indian Ports” Sonowal.