MSPL to step up wind power generation

Karnataka-based Mineral Sales Private Ltd (MSPL) is set to emerge as one of the largest players in the wind power sector by the end of this fiscal. The company plans to enhance capacity to 200 Mw from the current 160 Mw by March 2007 with an investment of Rs 200 crore.

The flagship company of the Baldota group, MSPL's buyers are distribution companies in Karnataka and Maharashtra.

"In the next couple of months, we will touch 185 Mw. By the end of the current fiscal, we will cross the 200-Mw mark," MSPL Chairman and Managing Director Narendrakumar A Baldota told Business Standard.

MSPL, which has already invested Rs 800 crore in the project, has wind farms located in Bellary, Davanagere and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka and in Satara (Maharashtra).

"Wind power generation depends on the season. At our facilities, the strongest winds typically occur between May and September. This period records maximum generation," he said.

The firm intends to enhance capacity by installing wind farms at newly-identified locations like Harihar in Karnataka and Dhule in Maharashtra. Wind power contributed only about 9 per cent of the the company's overall revenue of Rs 630 in 2005-06 but that does not mean that it has a lower priority in the business.

"Though our principal focus will remain on iron ore exports, significant attention will be given to wind power generation as we believe in promoting sustainable energy solutions," said MSPL Executive Director Rahul Kumar Baldota.

The company is also planning to tap the carbon credits that wind power generation is eligible for. "They may provide an additional revenue source for our wind power division," Baldota added.