NTPC signs PPA with Escoms for windmill

NTPC Ltd, India’s largest power generating company, has proposed to set up its second and largest wind power project at Guledagudda in Bagalkot district. The estimated capacity of the project is around 100 Mw (based on capacity and model of WTG offered) at an investment of Rs 600 crore. The rating of each offered WTG (wind turbine generator) is 1,500 kW or above.

The company on Wednesday signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with five energy supply companies in state. As per the PPA the company would supply power at Rs 5.30 per unit. The NTPC signed the PPA with Bangalore Electricity Supply Company, Mangalore Electricity Supply Company, Hubli Electricity Supply Company, Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Company and Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company.

Speaking on the occasion, Shobha Karandlaje, minister for energy, Karnataka, said the state was looking at more energy from NTPC’s power projects in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The state is expected to get 600 Mw from NTPC’s Pudimadka power plant in Andhra Pradesh and 180 Mw from Simhadri power plant second stage in the next few months.

“The government of India has allotted 200 Mw to Karnataka under the solar mission and the state government has started planning to tap this source by 2016,” she said.

She said the estimated potential for wind energy in the state is about 14,000 Mw and the state has initiated steps to generate 1,766 Mw already.

The state grid drew about 1,300 Mw of wind energy on June 28, she said.

Stating that the proposed thermal power projects at Chhattisgarh, Yeramaras and Yedlapur were delayed due to non-availability of coal from the Centre, she said the government would request the PM to give immediate clearances at a meeting with him on July 2, 2011.

The state-owned energy producer, Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) would lay the foundation stone for the 5 mega watt solar photovoltaic power plant at Shimsha in Mandya district on June 30, 2011, Karandlaje added.

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has set minimum 10 per cent of energy purchase from renewable source for Bescom, Mescom, Chescom-Mysore and 7 per cent for Hescom and Gescom of total consumption of electricity in the area of the distribution. The setting up new wind power project by NTPC will help the Escoms to achieve this target.