The Hindu Business Line : KREDL to add 200 MW capacity each year

KARNATAKA Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL), which plans to set up energy parks in four districts of the State, intends to electrify 50 villages through renewable energy sources.

Wind power plants planned in Belgaum are expected to be operational in a couple of months while more are on the cards, according to Dr B. Shivlingiah, Managing Director, KREDL.

"We plan to add about 200 MW of capacity each year," Mr Shivlingiah said, adding that wind and biomass projects have generated a good response.

KREDL aims to promote renewable energy projects as a supplement to conventional power generation, he said, adding that in a decade, given encouragement, renewable energy sources could meet at least 10 per cent of the demand capacity. "From 80 million units per month now, we can ramp up to 350 million units per month that is 10 per cent of the projected demand for 2012.''

Renewable energy must not be dismissed as expensive or small-scale. It must be blended with conventionally generated energy to meet demand, reduce dependence on coal as well as generate employment and help local economies. Mini hydel projects, biomass gassifers etc can be drops in the ocean but they certainly have a role to play, according to KREDL. For instance, a small renewable energy station at the point of demand will not only produce the required power but also prevent the 20 per cent transmission and distribution losses of conventionally generated power.

Another aspect of renewable energy is that it should be harvested during a certain season. This power can be used to supplement the supply during the rains while thermal and hydroelectric plants can go up to full generation during the other months, according to Mr Shivlingiah.

Karnataka has commissioned 44 wind power projects with a total installed capacity of 124.8 MW till last year. The hope is that this number will increase substantially this year once the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources sorts out price fixation issue. Two demonstration wind projects will be functional in the coming months as KREDL has set up plants in Belgaum and Bellary districts.

Though Karnataka has the potential to develop upto 7,500 MW of hydroelectric projects, only 2,397 MW has been exploited, according to Mr Shivlingiah.

While large hydel projects are no longer being considered for obvious reasons of cost, environmental considerations and people displacement issues there is scope for mini hydel projects and the Government has issued licenses for 171 projects with a capacity of 800 MW.

Of these, 31 projects, with an installed capacity of 150 MW have been commissioned so far. Further, KREDL has set up an investigation cell for determining the State's potential for developing small hydro projects.

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