December 02, 2008

WB to commission 100 MW green power units by 2009

BS reported that 10 renewable energy projects with a composite capacity of 100 MW are likely to be commissioned in West Bengal by the end of 2009. Among these 10 projects includes the proposal to set up a 50 MW wind park project and a solar park with a capacity of 26 MW.

Mr SP Gon Chaudhuri director of West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency said that "The wind power park is to be set up in Dadanpatra in East Midnapore district at an investment of INR 300 crore. Out of the composite capacity of 50 MW, Suzlon will be contributing 40 MW and the rest will come from other players. The project requires 700 acres of land which has already been identified. The solar park to be set up in Purulia by 2010 will have capacity of 26 MW."

Mr Chaudhuri said that private players like Reliance Power and US based Azure Solar Power were keen on setting up solar power plants near Purulia. The balance 24 MW of green energy would come from other renewable energy sources like micro hydel power, biomass and municipal solid waste.

He further added that West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency is in talks with IL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation for undertaking municipal solid waste projects but did not share details. The overall renewable energy potential in West Bengal was estimated at around 10,000 MW while installed capacity of renewable energy in the state was 76 MW, with solar power contributing 7MW.