The Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA), the nodal agency of the Orissa government for promotion of new and renewable energy, plans to tap the potential available in the state in the wind energy sector.
For this purpose, wind resources assessment survey is underway in 22 locations including Chandbali, Puri, Chhatrapur, Nawarangpur and Damanjodi among others.
The Centre for Wind Energy Technology (Chennai), a Government of India (GoI) organisation, Suzlon and Epuron have been entrusted with the task, sources said.
Since wind velocities beyond 8 metres per second are suitable for generation of power, the rough estimates put the wind power potential in Orissa at 800 Mw.
Meanwhile, the State Technical Committee (STC), headed by the secretary, science and technology department of the Orissa government, has given in-principle approval for generation of 99 Mw wind power to Suzlon.
Suzlon proposes to set up wind energy projects at various locations in Koraput and Nawarangpur districts. The company has been asked to study the wind pattern in the areas which have been allotted to it and submit the detailed project report (DPR) to OREDA.
After that the projects would be placed before the STC for taking a final decision.
However, the 2 Mw demonstration wind project proposed by OREDA at Damanjodi has not been able to make any headway for various reasons.
Though the nodal agency had finalised the site after survey, the National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco), which has its alumina refinery and bauxite mining complex at the same location, reportedly expressed its reluctance to clear the identified site.
Rather, Nalco authorities suggested an alternative site in the reclaimed area of the company where the company has completed its mining work.
Even in the new site, no progress was possible as Nalco took a guarded view on the location for the proposed demonstration project in view of the naxal attacks in Panchpatmali mines area.
Besides, the company authorities are reported to have expressed their reservation on allowing developers to generate wind power in that area. OREDA argues, since this was a demonstration project of 2 Mw only, ideally the developers need to be allowed to generate at least 30 Mw to 40 Mw.
However, Nalco is yet to agree to the proposal.
