GERC raises wind power purchase tariff to Rs 3.56 pu

Fixes Rs 15 per unit for solar photovoltaic power

With a view to encouraging wind energy generators to take up new wind power projects in the state, Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has raised tariff for procurement of power generated from wind energy sources. The commission has increased the tariff to Rs 3.56 per unit from Rs 3.37 unit.

Persuant to the order issued by the commission on Saturday, distribution licensees will have to pay Rs 3.56 for procuring wind power. The tariff will remain costant for a period of 25 years and the new tariff is applicable to wind power projects commissioned in Gujarat during a period of 3 years from 11 August 2009.

"Gujarat is one of the few states of India, which has been bestowed with huge potential for development of wind power projects. Though a large part of this potential has been exploited, still there is scope for considerable capacity addition. The tariff order aims to encourage the project developers to undertake new wind energy projects in the state," the state power regulatory reasons in the order.

As on date, installed capacity for wind power generation is 1,500 Mw in Gujarat, which has a potential to generate 10,645 Mw of wind power.

It may be mentioned here that world's number one wind power solutions provider-Vestas-plans to add 250 Mw capacity in the state, where it already operates 60 Mw wind farm. The third largest wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon Energy intends to double its capacity in Kutch to 1,500 Mw from current 750 Mw.

Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) and Chennai-based Winwind Power Energy are also taking up new wind power projects in the state.

This is the second order by the market regulator in a week. On Friday, GERC fixed a tariff of Rs 15 per unit for power to be purchased from solar photovoltaic generators, while it has pegged a tariff of Rs 11 per unit for solar thermal power. These tariffs are for initial 12 years and will be applicable to new solar power projects to be commissioned in the state during next two years. After 12 years, the generators will have to sell power generated from solar photovoltaic and thermal solar projects at Rs 5 and Rs 4 per unit respectively.

Gujarat government has alloted a solar power generation capacity of 716 Mw to as many as 34 national and international companies, which also include Lanco Solar Pvt. Ltd, Astonfield Solar Mi GmbH, Germany Adani Power Ltd., Welspun Urja Ltd., NTPC, New Delhi, Torrent Power Ltd. and Abengoa Ltd. of Spain.