CPCL forays into wind power

New Delhi, July 13 (UNI) Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL), an IndianOil subsidiary, has commissioned a Rs 85 crore windmill power project of 17.6 MW capacity at Palghat pass near Pollachi.

''Wind power is another green and renewable energy option being explored by us since it is increasingly emerging as the most commercially viable renewable energy source with zero adverse impact on environment,'' IndianOil Chairman Sarthak Behuria said while inaugurating the project.

The company is also exploring the possibility of setting up a 25 MW wind power project in Gujarat, he added.

CPCL Managing Director K K Acharya said, ''This wind farm has an estimated annualised generation of 42.4 million KwHr of electrical energy with 22 wind electrical generators. The energy produced thus would be wheeled to the grid and redeemed by CPCL in Manali, Chennai for its de-salination plant in the refinery.'' This will cater to approximately 80 per cent of the power requirement of the desalination plant power load.

''For this purpose, we have already entered into an agreement with the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board,'' Mr Acharya added.

The wind power potential at present in India is estimated at 65,000 MW and potential locations are coastal areas in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Lakshwadeep, Andaman&Nicobar Islands, Orissa, Maharashtra, etc.

UNI