NEW DELHI : India plans to offer land near its ports to companies for building solar equipment factories, as it seeks to attain self-reliance and challenge the dominance of China in one of the world’s largest green energy market, said two people aware of the development.
With 110,000 hectares of land available across a dozen major ports, New Delhi believes that accessibility to a port will not only make it more cost-competitive to make solar equipment, but also facilitate exports. This also is in sync with India’s port-led development strategy to leverage its 7,600km-long coastline.
“The ministry of new and able energy (MNRE), and shipping and ports, are in talks for offering this land for solar equipment manufacturing. The ports have been asked for the identified land,” a senior government official said, requesting anonymity. Queries to shipping ministry and MNRE spokespersons did not elicit any response.
