NHDC's 100 Mw wind power plan faces rough weather

The Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation (NHDC) has run into rough weather over a wind power project. NHDC is a joint venture between the Madhya Pradesh government and the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC). Last year, it had planned to set up a 100-Mw wind power plant in Kukru village of Betul district (250 km from Bhopal).

The company, which was formed to tap the potential in hydroelectric power generation on the Narmada river, has already diversified into thermal power and bagged two super-critical thermal power projects in the state of 1,360 Mw each.

“We do not have sufficient wind at the site which was allocated to us by state government. We have two options now — either we will demand another site or join hands with some private partner who has feasible wind site,” said a well placed source in the company.

The NHDC capacity utilisation in wind power, if government and wind energy investors and various other sources are believed, comes to hardly 18-22 per cent in Madhya Pradesh against the feasible 27-30 per cent in states like Tamil Nadu.

According to a source, the state had allocated feasible sites to private investors. However none of the new private players has come to wind power sector in a big way. “We will soon initiate discussion with private players too for potential but feasible site,” the source added.