Govt inks 100-MW wind power project

A 100-Mega Watt (MW) wind energy project proposed at Guledagudda in Bagalkot district will supply power to ESCOMS at Bangalore (Bescom), Mangalore (Mescom), Hubli (Hescom), Gescom(Gulbarga), and Mysore(CESC).

At the signing ceremony, Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje said the State government hopes to increase power purchases from renewable energy projects over the next few years.

Currently, the capacity of renewable energy sources in the State is about 3,260 MW, out of which 1,766 is from wind energy. By 2014, the State hopes to add an additional 1,300 MW of wind power.

"According to a study, the landscape of the State is suitable for wind energy production, and there is potential of upto 16,000 MW", said Karandalaje. The Guledagudda agreement comes close on the heels of another power purchasing agreement signed in February this year for a 36-MW wind project at Maduragudda in Hassan district.

Inderjit Kapoor, Director (Commercial), NTPC, said land for the Guledagudda project had been identified, and tenders were ready.  The wind farm is expected to have an estimated capacity of 100 MW, and the rating of each wind turbine generator will be 1500 KW or above. According to officials, the project will prevent around 1.5 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

Kudgi progress

On the mega thermal power project at Kudgi, Bijapur, the Energy Minister said that the State was in the process of negotiating with farmers and completing the land acquisition process.

The NTPC is proposing to build a 4,000-MW ultra mega power project in Kudgi with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore. About 3,500 acres of land had been identified for the project while NTPC required 1,900 acres of land to begin with.