The project, which is estimated to cost Rs 16.9 crore, has garnered interest from at least 10 companies. The MPA and GEDA-funded solar power plant will be set up on 7 acres of land within the port premises.

?There is a lot of focus on green initiatives at the port. The tender process for the 3MW solar plant is going on. With the installation and commissioning of the plant, MPA will be totally self-reliant in terms of green energy,? said port chairman N Vinodkumar.

The port currently requires 2.6MW of power to meet operational requirements. ?We expect the work of the plant to be completed by May or June,? said Vinodkumar.

The MPA had signed an MoU with GEDA to set up the power plant. Based on this, GEDA floated a tender for the design, engineering, construction and maintenance of the plant for 10 years.

The solar photovoltaic grid-connected power plant will be operated on a virtual net metering basis. As part of the project, around 2.5km of 11kW underground power cables will have to be laid, which will be connected to the Bogda substation.