IOC sets up wind power project in Gujarat

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the country's largest oil refining and marketing company, has forayed into the wind power sector, commissioning its first windfarm at Kandla in Gujarat.

IOC has invested Rs 130 crore in setting up a windfarm that generates 21 Mw of power, a company official said.

Electricity generated at the windfarm is used by IOC to meet power requirement of its fuel storage and oil pipelines in Gujarat. "The windfarm started operations a few weeks back but it will be formally put into service when company Chairman Sarthak Behuria visits Gujarat later this week," he said.

IOC had awarded the contract for setting up of the windfarm to Pune-based Suzlon Energy, which would also be responsible for maintenance and operations for the duration of the contract.

Power from the windfarm will save the company Rs 5 per unit it pays for drawing electricity for the operations from the grid.

Kandla has been chosen because of the wind-swept nature of the coastal town and presence of extensive field infrastructure in the region.