State to harness wind energy

Energy-starved Karnataka is looking to harness renewable energy to meet the demand and supply gap in the state. The government, which is in the process of finalising a dedicated policy for renewable energy, has identified a potential to produce 12,000 Mw from wind energy alone.

According to K Aria, additional chief secretary, department of energy, the state has so far realised only 2,000 Mw from wind energy and had cleared projects for 4,000 Mw to the private sector which are in their different stages of development and there is a huge gap to be bridged.

“Today, the state is facing a power deficit of 15-20 per cent and we wish to reduce it by increasing power generation. We are keen to see the private sector come forward to realise the potential of wind energy. The state government is ready to cut the impediments in terms of land acquisition and forest clearances. We will have an empowered committee for forest clearance and intend to bring down the project implementation period from five and a half years to three years,” he said.

Addressing a conference on “Karnataka - Outlook for Power Sector 2010-2015”, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), here today, Aria said the state government has entrusted land acquisition work to the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board to hasten the power projects taken up by the private sector. The government is actively considering changing the method of allotting licences to independent power producers. Instead of allotting licences on the first come-first-serve basis, the government is open to allotting permits to the eligible bidders to develop power projects, he said.

He said the state has set a target to become the leading producer of renewable energy in the country by 2012-13 from the present third position. In the next five years energy security will be realised despite the energy deficit being experienced now, he said.

The gas grid, being commissioned by the Gas Authority of India Limited, will be a reality by 2012. The government is contemplating to set up four gas-based power projects of 2,000 Mw each right through the 850 km pipeline, Jairaj said.

“This will be the key infrastructure backbone for the state. We have not got any allotment from the KG Basin. We need a gas grid for the state and we are negotiating with the ministry of petroleum to ensure a steady availability of gas for the state to realise its potential,” he added. He said the state government is also working to reduce distribution losses from the present 22 per cent to 15 per cent in the next three years by involving the private sector.

The government is also looking to generate at least 500 Mw from the biomass-based projects. At least 150 Mw is possible in the next three years, he said.