Power major NTPC Ltd is taking small but decisive steps towards renewable energy projects, spanning solar photovoltaic, solar thermal and wind. It is setting up a 5 MW photovoltaic power generation unit close to Port Blair airport in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
NTPC will invest Rs 57 crore for the solar PV plant. Photon Energy has been chosen to implement the project. Work will commence next month, according to Mr R. Venkateswaran, Regional Executive Director.
The company has internally targeted a capacity of about 1,000 MW from renewable energy projects in the near term, including a clutch of wind energy farms in Karnataka and solar power generation projects in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
ACROSS SOUTH
The NTPC official said, “In the South, we are setting up a 25 MW solar photovoltaic power plant at Ramagundam in Andhra Pradesh. Of this, 5 MW would be taken up immediately. In Karnataka we are setting up 2x50 MW power plants. In Kerala, the renewable energy arm is setting up wind farms at Idukki and Palakkad.”
At Idukki, a feasibility report for 20 MW has been approved. It is estimated that the location has potential for 60 MW. “Often we get hostile terrains for some of the projects like in Andamans. But we would ensure they come up on time. The low gestation period for renewable energy projects augurs well,” he felt.
“The Ministry of Power had assigned us the job of setting up diesel generation (DG) sets in Andaman and Nicobar Islands to augment power generation to help in the reconstruction of the island after the tsunami that led to extensive damage. Now we have been awarded a project to commission a 5 MW solar PV plant.”
Mr Venkateswaran said NTPC has completed installation of a series of DG sets of different capacities at Katchal Island, Teressa, Rangat Bay, Car Nicobar and Hut Bay, apart from strengthening high tension switchgear at Chatham Power House.