5% green power by 2011-12

The procurement of power generated from non-conventional and renewable sources by the power distribution companies in the state, will be 5 percent of the total procurement by 2011-12.

These sources include small hydro, wind, bio-mass, co-generation of electricity from waste heat products. The Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) allowed the supply licensees to purchase up to 3 percent of the total purchases from these sources during 2007-08. It was to increase 0.5 percent in each subsequent year to reach a level of 5 percent by 2011-12.

This order of OERC came into force from 1 April 2006. Two projects namely 110 KW project at Sunei in the district of Mayurbhanj and 2x20 KW unit at Badaghagara in the district of Keonjhar were started after this order came to force, says S N Patro, state energy minister. He said, the Orissa government has also signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with 26 developers for setting up small hydro electric projects in different places in the state.

These projects include 24.8 Mw Harabhangi project, 25 Mw Middle Kolab Tentuliguma project, 12 Mw Lower Kolab project, 20 Mw Samal barrage project, 20 Mw Lower Machhakund project, 15 Mw Jamojhari project, 9 Mw Salandi dam project, 25 Mw lower Baitarani project, 15 Mw Sindhiguda project and 16.5 Mw Taraba project on Mahendratanaya. Patro said, there are 6 reservoirs in the state for generation of hydro power.

The Orissa Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) is generating power from 6 large hydro-electric projects located at Hirakud, Balimela, Rengali, Upper Kolab, Machhkund and Upper Indrabati. While the total production from these hydro projects was 8059.8 million units in 2007-08, it was about 4345.64 million units till November this year, the minister added.