Bellary emerging big in wind power production sector

Bellary emerging big in wind power production sector

By Shivakumar G Malagi

Bellary, Dec 5: Bellary district, which recently emerged on the map of thermal power generation plants with the operation of the state's first 500 MW plant at Kudithini here is now going big way into the `green energy' sector using a renewable source like wind energy.
State-owned Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) and on the other side, giant private players in wind energy sector MSPL Group and Suzlon Energy have taken big leap towards pollution-free energy independence and switch away from fossil fuels.
KREDL which search for areas suitable for tapping non-conventional energy to generate power, found that the hills along the side of villages in Hoovinahadagali taluk of district bordering Harapanahalli of Davanagere had high wind speed. The hills at Sogi, Jogimatti and Jajikalgudda are at 850, 1120 and 750 meters respectively from the mean sea level.
KREDL set up six towers in Sogi and Jajikalgudda villages in 2005, each tower having a capacity to generate 1.25 MW, on a pilot basis.The project began generating power in 2006, and today power to the extent of 6 MW is being generated.
On the same hill belt, Suzlon Energy had power plants at Sogi- 52.5 mw, at Gujanur-18.75 mw and Ayinahalli – 16.05 mw.
While, MSPL Limited, a flagship Company of the Baldota Group and India's largest wind energy producer had already wind energy farms-140.1 MW in state and has registered 125 MW in Karnataka with the United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) one of the largest Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Projects in the World.
According to MSPL sources, today, 70 towers have been set up by MSPL in the Sogi and the Jajikal hills, taking the total production capacity to around 100 MW.
"Power generation depends upon the wind speed. The wind speed is high during June to November, when maximum power generation can be achieved. On an average, around 40 MW can be generated," said an official, in charge of the project.
"Our Country needs substantial increase in renewable energy like Wind & Solar, if we are to deal with generating electricity on the one hand and protecting environment on the other. Government should come forward with incentives and support to the investors in these two sectors which will help in increased investment in renewable energy sector to switch away from fossil fuels," says Shrenik N Baldota, executive director, MSPL Ltd and vice-president, India Wind Power Association.