Kerala - Kochi   

State set to tap wind energy

KOCHI: Kerala is all set to begin commercial production of wind energy with the setting up of wind farms in Kottathara, Nallasinga, Agaly and Ramakkalmedu. Wind turbines are being erected at a few places near the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border while the wind energy project in Idukki district is gradually progressing.

Four turbines are being erected as part of the wind farm project at Kottathara, about 8 km from Anaikatti, near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. It is being executed by Suzlon Infrastructure Private Limited, the company which has a major share of wind energy projects in India. The project in Ramakkalmedu is being taken up by Vestas, another group which has set up wind energy projects in different States.

The installation of the turbines in Kottathara is in the final stages. The four turbines are being erected on behalf of two Kerala-based private investors including a jewellery group and an umbrella manufacturing company. The commissioning of the first four turbines is expected to take place within a few weeks.

The short gestation period of the windmill is a significant advantage to the investors, according to a senior official of the project. The site was inaugurated a month ago.

It has been pointed out that the rate of purchase for the power to be generated by the wind project in Kerala has been fixed at a higher level than Tamil Nadu. The KSEB will purchase the power. If the investor is a high tension power subscriber within the KSEB circle where the project is situated, it is entitled to utilise the generated power, subject to regulations.

In the first phase, the company is planning to set up 33 windmills in the area which had been identified as a highly potential spot for setting up wind energy farms.

The study was conducted by the Chennai-based Centre for Wind Energy Technology. A study by ANERT had also established the viability of the project.

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