WCL's pioneering wind energy project launched

Nagpur, Aug 25 (UNI) A pioneering windmill power generation project of Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) has been launched at an underground mine of the public sector undertaking in this district.

Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao inaugurated the pilot plant at Saoner, about 45 kilometres from here, in the presence of WCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director D C Garg, yesterday.

The project, the first of its kind in the country, harnesses exhaust air from the underground mine to generate electricity, a company statement said here.

The exhaust air from the main mine exhaust ventilator rotates the wind generator, thereby producing electricity, it added.

The electricity is used to charge two batteries, which are connected to an inverter to deliver AC power. The project is designed to produce 17 kW of power every year, it added.

Speaking at the function, Mr Rao said the project, if successful in Saoner, would be replicated at other coalmines in the country.

UNI