Country's first micro-turbine project starts

Purulia, Oct 30: The country's first micro turbine project using biogas, was inaugurated here today as the US Consul General in Kolkata described the event as an example of growing Indo-US relation.

" This is a fine example of the growing Indo-US relation in the energy sector," Mr Jardine said after West Bengal Power Minister Mrinal Banerjee formally inaugurated the project which would generate 30 kw benefitting 100 families and a local dairy farm.

The project cost is approximately Rs 13.5 crore out of which the US Government has funded about Rs 29.5 lakh.

The project was initiated in September 2003 when USAEP (US-Asia Environmental Partnership) provided funding for a pre-feasibility study on the potential of micro-turbine technology in the country based on biomass/biogas applications.

The USAEP also organised an orientation visit led by the Power Minister and other key stakeholders to the US in June, 2004. The delegation visited a number of sites, met with several authorities using or promoting micro-turbines and had discussions with US company Capstone Turbine, a pioneer in decentalised energy generation application.

The company participated in the pilot project and supplied the micro turbine and other machinery for this project, coordinated by West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WEBREDA).

UNI