Chhattisgarh formulates wind energy policy

Raipur, June 21 (UNI) The Chhattisgarh government has finalised a new policy for harvesting wind energy, mainly with private sector participation.

The state cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, yesterday, approved the policy on wind energy and decided to appoint Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) as the nodal agency.

CREDA will conduct a study to identify the places from where wind energy could be generated with the cooperation of the private sector, the policy said, adding that open tenders would be invited for setting up the wind mills. Only those investors, having the experience of setting up and running plants of three megawatt, would be permitted to set up wind mills.

Stipulating that the investors concerned would have to take care of grid interface and maintenance, the policy said the state government and the agencies decided by it would have the first right on the power generated by these units. The tariff would be fixed by the Chhattisgarh Electricity Regulatory Commission. However, the plant would be free to sell power to any other agencies in the event of the state government refusing to purchase power.

As per the policy, government land would be provided for setting up the wind energy mills for a period of 30 years or for the duration of the project, whichever is less. If the wind energy plant is to be set up on private land, the landlord concerned would be paid annual lease rent at the rate of Rs 5,000 per acre.

All clearances concerned for setting up the project would be issued as per the provisions of Chhattisgarh Industrial Promotion Act. Besides, those setting up wind energy plants would be eligible for concessions being provided for new industries as per the state's industrial policy.

UNI JJ SP PDS BST0433