DCIL commissions solar rooftop plant at Visakhapatnam headquarters

Dredging Corporation of India Limited has commissioned a 150kW rooftop solar power plant at its headquarters in Visakhapatnam, as the state-run dredging company steps up efforts to align its operations with India’s renewable energy targets.

The facility was formally commissioned on Thursday by the corporation’s managing director and chief executive, Captain S. Divakar, under the Government of India’s PM Surya Ghar Yojana.

The solar project had earlier been inaugurated on 29 March by Sarbananda Sonowal during DCIL’s golden jubilee celebrations.

Company officials said the installation is expected to generate about 750 units of electricity a day, or nearly 270,000 units annually, reducing dependence on conventional power sources. The corporation estimates the transition could lower electricity costs by around ₹2.5 lakh a month, delivering annual savings of close to ₹30 lakh.

DCIL said the project could also prevent between 220 and 240 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, which it said was comparable to planting more than 10,000 trees or removing about 50 passenger vehicles from the roads.

The project was executed by Ledure Lightings Limited, with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited serving as implementation partner, in line with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

Divakar said the commissioning reflected the company’s broader strategy to improve energy efficiency while supporting national clean energy priorities.