CMC plans solar, wind energy to solve power crisis in Kodagu

 There are no big industries in Kodagu. In spite of 96 per cent of the consumers paying the electricity bills on time, the unitrerupted power supply for 24 hours is still a dream.

The mini hydro electricity power units could not be set up owing to the stiff opposition by the environmentalists. However, Sri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project has been working silently in remote villages by installing hydro-electricity units and thus providing ‘light’ to the lives of several villagers.

With a view to provide self-sufficiency and to solve the problem of ‘power cuts’ during peak summer and rainy season, even Madikeri CMC has decided to go for solar and wind energy. It has decided to produce electricity through solar and wind mill to be used in the CMC building.

The CMC has decided to produce 2kv electricity through solar and wind energy. A sum of Rs 7.15 lakh will be utilised for the purpose. The CMC has already called for the tender. The prestigious BHEL company will install solar and wind energy equipment in CMC building.

Continuous production

With solar and wind energy, electricity will be produced continuously irrespective of rainy season and summer. During summer, energy can be produced with the help of solar equipment while during rainy season through the wind mills.

With 2 kv electricity, the bulb can light the CMC building, said Commissioner K Srikanth Rao.

Solar streetlights

The CMC is planning to use solar power for lighting the streetlights from Sudarshan Circle to main streets of the city. During heavy rains, due to the power failure, the passengers are in trouble as they are unable to move in the streets. The solar lights will come to help during such period, feels Rao.

A sum of Rs 15 crore will be released to the district under Chief Minister’s small and medium town development project of 2010-11. Off which, Rs 50 lakh will be earmarked for the purpose. A proposal will be submitted to the Directorate of Municipal Administration, he added.  For the wind energy, the speed of the wind must be 5.5 metre. However, it is 10 to 11 metre per minute in Kodagu. If three mini solar and wind mills are installed, then 15 kv electricity can be produced and can light 18 to 20 streetlights.