Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), the state-owned power producer, is signing two separate memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with public sector power giant, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and power equipment maker, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), here on Monday to set up a 4,000 Mw thermal power plant at Kudigi in Bijapur district and wind power project of 500 Mw at three separate places in the state.
While, the thermal power plant is being set up through a joint venture between KPCL, BHEL and NTPC, the wind power project is being implemented by NTPC on behalf of KPCL. Both KPCL and NTPC will share 2,000 Mw each in the proposed thermal power project, whereas the power produced at the wind mill will be supplied to the state grid alone.
For implementing the wind power project, KPCL has identified three places such as Kappathagudda in Gadag district, Guledagudda in Haveri district and Bailhongal in Belgaum district. Each of these three places will have at least 250 wind turbines. The total investment for the project has been pegged at Rs 4,000 crore and will be put in by NTPC, while KPCL will provide the land required.
Currently, the wind mapping and frequency studies are being conducted by KPCL and once the study is completed the estimation of land required for the the project and configuration of wind turbine blades and the height among other parametres will be decided, the KPCL officials said. Karnataka currently has an installed capacity to produce about 8,900 Mw of power. The demand for power in the state is growing at 25 per cent annually.