The Hindu Business Line : Biomass units seek bigger role in AP power sector

The Indian Wind Power Association has offered to partly bridge the huge demand supply power mismatch in the State at a levellised tariff of Rs 3.37 per unit for a span of 20 years, if allowed to take part in the State power generation.

In a statement, the Secretary General, Indian Wind Power Association, Mr V. Raghu, said this offer is based on the recent media reports about huge demand supply gap faced by the State, which has necessitated it to purchase power at high cost.

Mr Raghu said the current problem in the State could be tackled by encouraging wind power since the State has huge potential. Besides the tariff fixed by the State Regulatory Commission is also quite encouraging for the investors seeking to set up wind mills.

Besides, the State Regulatory Commission has also fixed the minimum quantum of wind power to be procured by the Transmission companies.

Despite these friendly policies, the investors of biomass plants are wary of investing in the State as there is some apprehension about the feasibility and the impact of these plants on other generating stations.

Drawing up from Tamil Nadu experience, which has benefited from wind power, Mr Raghu said Tamil Nadu today has more than 3,000 MW of installed capacity of wind power.

However, when wind energy sector approached AP Transco with a proposal to establish about 150 MW year on year and wanted them to sign up power purchase agreements, as per the levellised tariff determined by the Andhra Pradesh State Electricity Regulatory Commission, the proposal was rejected for no justifiable reason, he contended.

The association has called upon the Government and the regulator to explore wind energy option, which is characterised by low gestation period (which is less than six months) for commissioning a 100 MW worth plants.

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