The Orissa government plans to tap the potential available in the geo-thermal sector of the state.
Though the potential in this sector has not been assessed yet, the government has identified some hot springs with water temperature of 60 to 70 degrees, which is suitable for harnessing thermal power.
The state owned Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) has sought the technical expertise of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee to assist in the assessment of the geo-thermal potential in the state, sources said.
The locations identified for this survey are Attri, Taptapani, Deulajhari (near Athammalik) and Bhapur.
Meanwhile, OREDA has prepared a pre-feasibility report on harnessing the geo-thermal power in the state and submitted it to the Union ministry of new and renewable energy sources (MNRE) for approval.
“The Plant Load Factor (PLF) in geo-thermal power generation is100 percent and it can run throughout the year without maintenance”, a senior official associated with the process said.
Though these projects do not cause pollution and are environmentally sustainable in the long run, the limiting factor is the high initial investment. Besides, the assessment of potential can be done by drilling which requires clearance of the ministry of environment and forests.
Sources said, in view of the pollution caused by the thermal power plants, the state government is exploring the possibility of supplementing thermal power generation with renewable sources like solar, wind and bio-mass based power plants in the state.
To make use of the wastes like rice husk, groundnut cover, coconut cover and other agricultural waste, plentily available in the state, for generation of power, the government has approved the setting up of 8 bio-mass based power projects by the private developers.
Combinedly, these projects are expected to generate of 90 Mw and are proposed to come up in Raygada, Nawarangpur, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Khurda, Puri, Dhenkanal and Puri districts. Similarly, it has set up a target of electrifying 1000 villages under Remote Village Electrification Programme during the current fiscal.
The government is exploring new sea coast locations like Chandbali and Goplapur for setting up of wind power projects, sources added.
