New Delhi, Feb 21 (FN Bureau) Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday said that the government intends to increase the share of renewable energy to 60 percent of the total power demand in each of its major ports. At present, the total share of renewable energy is less than 10 percent. Speaking at the consultative committee meeting by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterway on ‘Green Port and Green Shipping’ Sonowal said, the ports have also aimed to reduce Carbon emissions, per ton of cargo handled, by 30 percent by the year 2030.
“The Maritime Vision Document-2030, released by Prime Minister, is a 10 Year blueprint on India’s vision of a sustainable Maritime sector and vibrant blue economy’’ he said. Sonowal said as envisaged in the National Hydrogen Mission, the Ministry has identified and nominated Paradip Port, Deendayal Port and V.O. Chidambarar Port for developing them as Hydrogen Hubs, capable of handling, storage and generation of green hydrogen by the year 2030. Ministry for Ports, Shipping and Waterways has undertaken green port initiatives in the major ports so that their environmental performance can be improved. Under the Green Shipping and Green Shipping initiative of MIV 2030 major ports have implemented and initiated various activities. Those activities would help in reducing the GHG (Green House Gases) emissions from the Port and Shipping sector and help in achieving the targets set by the Government for making the maritime sector green and sustainable.
The green port initiatives include acquisition of equipments for monitoring environmental pollution, the acquisition of dust suppression systems, the setting up of STP’s garbage disposal system for ports and ships, the developing shore reception facility for wastes from ships, setting up projects for energy generation from renewable energy sources. Activities like transition towards renewable sources of energy including Solar Power, Wind Power, Tidal power etc. have already been initiated at many of the Major Ports of the country. “The pace at which the Green initiatives are undertaken by the 12 major ports will surely bring a green revolution in the sector making the ports cleaner and greener, which is also a key component of ‘Blue Economy’, creating environmental benefits and balancing the investments and cash flow,” said the Ministry.