KOCHI: As a power deficient State, Kerala needs to initiate more projects to generate power. While the neighbouring States have taken up large renewable energy projects, Kerala is yet to make notable strides.

A draft policy on wind power, framed by a three-member expert committee six years ago, is yet to be implemented. This indicates the lack of concerted efforts to bridge the gap between demand and supply, according to G.M. Pillai, Director General of World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE), Pune.

As per current estimates, wind power can add about 1000 MW to Kerala's electricity needs. Considering Kerala's low installed base of less than 3000 MW, this would be a huge addition. In the next five years, at least 500 MW could be added by harnessing wind energy. The wind energy projects have a low gestation period, as low as 3 months from the date of sanctioning to commissioning. The projects can be set up in the private sector, with zero investment from the Government, he says.

Kerala's wind power sites are comparable to international sites, according to studies. The sites between Thekkady and Munnar have high potential. Ramakkalmedu in Idukki has been found to be an ideal location. Ponmudi, Kadampuzha and several places in Palakkad and Kasaragod have also been identified as potential areas for setting up wind farms, according to studies conducted by various agencies including WISE. He also points out that the neighbouring State of Tamil Nadu generates about 3000 mw electricity from wind energy accounting for 50 per cent of the total national installed capacity of wind power.

Solar energy, one of the abundant sources available in a tropical country like India, is yet to become popular. Several agencies are engaged in development of solar energy based equipment. Georgekutty Karianappally, an entrepreneur based in Kochi, has developed a series of such equipment. The solar incubator and solar milking machine are among them. The Indian Institute of Technology has taken up a project based on the incubator.

Mr. Georgekutty feels the need to spread awareness on solar energy through exhibitions at the school level. "A solar energy culture has to be developed. The topic has to be included in the curriculum," he says.

He has also developed a 2 watt LED (light emitting diode) light that can replace a 15 watt bulb. The `zero watt bulbs' available at most of the outlets are 15 watt bulbs, according to him. About 8 lakh bulbs in this category are sold in the State every year, he says. If so, the power saved by replacing them with the LED lights would be equivalent to the power generated by a mini power generation plant, he observes.

The scarcity of power has resulted in the widespread use of alternative power generating systems such as portable power generators and inverters. There are about 100 private manufacturers of inverters in and around Ernakulam district, according to Pradeep Kumar, an entrepreneur. His company makes inverters of various capacities to suit the needs of the customers.

C.R. Sunil, another manufacturer, says the sales have grown over the previous year. R. Ravi, area manager of a well-known portable power generator manufacturing company, too agreed that the sales had gone up.

Automatic systems that get switched on when the power goes off are available now. Such systems are bound to gain acceptance among the people under the existing power scenario, according to him.

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