ONGC examining wind energy feasibility

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) says it is shelving a proposed wind energy project in Karnataka, but is going ahead with a second one in Gujarat.

The public sector giant had signed an agreement with Suzlon Energy for a 50 Mw wind-fuelled unit at Bhuj, for its own consumption. Officials at its corporate energy cell here say they would like to set up a second 50 Mw unit in Gujarat, beside making a plan to invest in a big way to tap offshore potential in wind energy.

The company is thinking of investing Rs 600 crore in the sector, for which a plan is being drawn. A detailed study on viability is likely.

However, reasons for cancelling the Karnataka project weren’t made clear. The plan was to float tenders last year, but none has been done, confirmed Anoop Kumar, Group General Manager, Technical Services.

A small demonstration wind energy and solar plant at Mussoorie is also planned. “As it is a big tourist destination, we want to set up a small demo project there,” said a top official. he said they had hired a consultant for this purpose.