Nalco to set up Rs 274-cr wind power project

Pressing ahead with its diversification plans, Navratna PSU National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco) plans to set up a 50.4-MW wind power project at a cost of Rs 274 crore in Gandikota, in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.

The wind power project will be executed through Suzlon Energy Limited. Under the project, 24 wind turbine generators -- each of 2.1-MW capacity -- will be set up, company sources said here today.

The Nalco board approved the project at a recent meeting, they said.

"The project is a part of Nalco's green initiative to promote sustainable development by harnessing unconventional energy sources," Chairman-cum-Managing Director BL Bagra said.

"The project, planned with a capacity utilisation factor of 22%, is scheduled to be completed in about eight months. The power generated will be sold to the Andhra Pradesh state grid," he said.

The project will also enable Nalco to meet its obligation under a recently promulgated regulatory requirement to generate 5% of its energy consumption from renewable sources or buy renewable energy certificates (RECs).

Earlier, Nalco had signed an MoU with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to set up a nuclear power plant under a joint venture, company sources said.

Nalco is also implementing different environment-oriented projects under the UN Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), conforming to the norms of the Kyoto Protocol.

The CDM projects were being taken up at Nalco's smelter, captive power plant and refinery, where better technology will be used to further reduce greenhouse gases.

The projects have been cleared by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, they said.