State explores new locations for wind power projects

The Orissa government is exploring new locations including coastal areas like Chandbali and Gopalpur for setting up of wind power projects in the state.

This follows the reluctance of the public sector National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) to go ahead with the proposed 2 Mw demonstration wind power project in the non-mine area of Panchmatmalli bauxite deposits at Damanjodi in Koraput district.

In a recent meeting chaired by the chief secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy, the company officials reported to have expressed reluctance to go ahead with the project citing security reasons. It may be noted, the Panchpatmali mines of the company is located in naxal infested area.

The latest move of the state government assumes importance as the state is yet to boast of any demonstration wind power project despite having high potential.

Sources said, Orissa has tremendous wind power potential and huge private investment can be lured in this area. A demonstration wind power project will enable the state to showcase this potential to the prospective investors.

Besides, the Union ministry of non-renewable energy (MNRE) is extending financial support for such endeavour and is providing assistance to the tune of Rs 3.9 crores for a 2 Mw demonstration unit.

Keeping that in view, a proposal to set up a 2 Mw demonstration wind power project in the south block of Panchampatmalli bauxite mines of Nalco at Damanjodi was initiated by the Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) way back in July 2005. Subsequently, a detailed project report (DPR ) was prepared by Chennai based firm ITCOT. Nalco was requested to transfer 25 acres of land at the site for a period of 20 years to meet the requirement of MNRE for sanction of the demonstration project.

However, in April this year Nalco authorities communicated the state government their inability to hand over the land stating that they do not have surface right over it as per the lease conditions. Besides, mining in that area is likely to start in next 10-12 years.

The company also suggested OREDA to study the wind data in the mined areas of Central Block of Panchpatmali and proceed on with the project after obtaining all statutory clearances from relevant authorities. It agreed to provide land in alternative sites, provide evacuation facility and purchase power from the project in April 2009.

Accordingly, the technical feasibility of relocating the project in the Central Block was examined by OREDA which seemed possible.

However, the project proposal couldn’t materialise as the company apprehended that it will be targeted by the naxals, who have stepped up their activities in the area, sources added.

According to a study done by Chennai based Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C- WET), Orissa has a gross potential of 1700 Mw in wind energy, out of which generation of 800 Mw is technically feasible. Till date, the potential of the sites identified for setting up of wind energy projects is estimated at 255 Mw.

While states like Andhra pradesh, Gujrat, Tamilnadu, Maharastra, Kerala, Rajasthan have started demonstration wind power projects, Orissa is lagging in this regard. Meanwhile, the government has started wind resource management project in eight locations. They are Damanjodi north, Nawarangpur, Brahmagiri, Dhamara, Chhatrapur , Paradeep and Chandipur.