The Hindu Business Line : Kerala to frame micro hydel power policy

In a written reply in the State Assembly on Thursday, the Electricity Minister, Mr A. K. Balan, said that preparatory discussions in this connection has already been initiated.

Generation capacity

Quoting from a survey, he said the State had the potential to host at least 130 small hydel projects, 12 of which had already been started. The Government also planned to raise generation capacity by 1,000 MW during a five-year period from 2006.

The new projects sanctioned by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) would entail an investment of Rs 1,446.74 crore, the required capital for which would be raised from financial institutions. Projects which have been started would be completed in a time-bound manner, the Minister said.

The State Government has also decided to permit private investors to set up hydel projects in the State. Necessary guidelines have already been issued, the Minister said during question hour.

While stating that Electricity Regulatory Commission had the right to decide on private participation in any sector, Mr Balan clarified that there was no plan to open up the distribution sector to the private sector.

Wind power

The State and the Central Governments have jointly drawn up plans to generate power from various non-conventional sources.

In a written reply, the Minister said a number of projects had been prepared for tapping wind, solar and bio-wastes for producing electricity.

A survey conducted by the Centre for Wind Energy Technology under the Union Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources had found that 16 sites in the State held potential for wind power generation.

JOINT INITIATIVE

In this connection, he said steps were taken jointly by the KSEB and the Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology to set up a four-MW project at Ramakkalmedu in Idukki district.

Plans have been drawn up for generating at least 40 MW from the non-conventional sources, out of which 35 MW would be allocated to be produced in the private sector.

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