GPCL finalises site for 50 Mw tidal power project

State-run power utility Gujarat Power Corporation (GPCL) today said it has zeroed in on a site suitable for the commissioning of 50 Mw tidal power project.

This will be the first big tidal power project to be ever commissioned in the country, as only a demonstration project for setting up 3.75 Mw capacity tidal energy power plant is being executed by National Hydro Power Corporation Ltd in Sunderban region of West Bengal.

GPCL had inked a MoU with the UK based Atlantis Resource Corporation in 2009 Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit for commissioning of tidal power projects in the state.

"We had conducted a study for commissioning of 250 Mw of tidal power projects in Gujarat during which two sites were found feasible. The Corporation has now narrowed down to a site in Mandvi near Gulf of Kutch for commissioning of 50 Mw project," a GPCL official told PTI.

"The tidal power project requires huge area along the coastline which is free from defence clearances and at the same time doesn't falls within any port limits, so site selection is a tedious exercise," he said.

It costs about Rs 15 crore per Mw of tidal power generation. However, the cost varies depending upon the technology used and the velocity of tidal current available at the site.

"The sites for another 200 Mw tidal power project is still being explored with our joint venture partners. A possibility of expanding the project size from 50 Mw to over 100 Mw in Mandvi cannot be ruled out as its a feasible location for such type of project," GPCL official said.