Allocation of 31 Biomass power projects to private players finalised

Chandigarh, Nov 2 (UNI) The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) today finalized the allocation of 31 decentralized Biomass Power Projects with aggregate capacity of 338 MW to private developers.

These projects having capacity ranging from 5 MW to 20 MW would be set up in 31 tehsils of the state and have been allocated on the basis of competitive bidding in line with the State New and Renewable Sources of Energy Policy.

Mr Bikram Singh Majithia, Minister of Science, Technology, Environment and Non Conventional Energy, said that these power projects would be set up on Build, Operate and Own (BOO) basis with private investment to the tune of Rs 1450 crore.

All these power projects are scheduled to be commissioned by September 2009.

He said that in order to encourage co-generation in the industries, PEDA has facilitated and commissioned six Biomass Cogeneration Projects with a total capacity of 39 MW. Four such projects of total capacity of 91 MW are under execution and likely to be commissioned by December 2007.

Another eight Co-generation Biomass Projects with a total capacity of 71 MW are in the pipeline and MOUs for the same are being signed shortly.

With the commissioning of all these power projects direct employment for 1600 skilled persons and indirect employment for 5000 persons will be created in the state.

He said that these power projects being environment friendly would help in the abatement of Green House gas emission responsible for global warming.

The Minister said that Punjab faceed peak power shortage to the tune of 3000 MW and the commissioning of these environment friendly projects would supplement the power requirement of the state to the tune of around 26 per cent through renewable energy resources.

He said the State Government is committed to promote renewable power through private sector by providing attractive tariff and fiscal incentives for these projects in order to add 1000 MW capacity to the state grid through renewable resources in the next three years.

UNI