Cement, Energy and Environment

- The Khandke wind farm in Maharashtra and the Samana-1 project in Gujarat established by the company in 2009 have capacities of 50.4 MW each. The second phase of the Samana project (50.4 MW) is targeted to be completed by the end of December 2009 which will make the wind farm among the largest in western India. CLP's biggest project in the country is the Andhra Lake project in Maharashtra with a capacity of 113.6 MW, which is due to be commissioned in July 2010. In the south, the 99 MW Theni wind farm in Tamil Nadu and the 82.4 MW Saundatti wind farm in Karnataka's Belgaum district are expected to be commissioned in early 2010. Courtesy: Green Energy, Vol. 5, Nov. -Dec.2009, P34. GE ENERGY'S FIRST WIND MANUFACTURING UNIT IN INDIA Leading US wind turbine manufacturer GE Energy is gearing up to set up its first wind manufacturing facility in India. The company is currently scouting for a suitable location in south India to establish the plant and production is expected to start by mid-201 0. According to company sources, the facility would Initially function as an assembly unit and later be up graded to a manufacturing plant, eventually producing 300 turbines with total capacity of 450 MW per year. The plant would commence production with the manufacture of 1.5 XLE model wind turbines - most suited for India's low wind regimes. The facility would also enable GE Energy to create a larger sourcing base from India for critical items including blades, towers, gear boxes, castings and forgings. Courtesy: Green Energy, Vol. 5, Nov. -Dec.2009, P34. Biofue/ INDIA: BIOFUEL POLICY GETS GOVERNMENT NOD Fast-tracking its move to promote sustainable energy usage, the government has approved the National Policy on Biofuels, which will provide financial incentives - including subsidies and grants - to the producers for second-generation biofuels. The policy also talks about setting up of a National Biofuel Fund . Further, a National Biofuel Coordination Committee - headed by the Prime Minister- will be set up to provide policy guidance and coordination. Global biofuel usage is expected to double by 2015. Brazil is the largest exporter of biofuels in the world. In India, the use and production of biofuels is at a nascent stage. However, the government is trying to be one of the largest producers of biofuels in the coming years in a bid to cut its dependence on conventional fuels, such as hydrocarbons and coal, as 70% of the consumption is met through imports. The government has undertaken a survey to assess the status of jatropha plantations in nine states. It has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the US to improve research and development of the second generation biofuels such as celluosic ethanol and algal biodiesel. Courtesy: REGULATERI: Quarterly Review of Regulatory Developments, Issue 43, December 2009, Pp7-8. PUNJAB AND BIHAR: GOING THE BIOMASS WAY Biomass mainly comprising agricultural waste - is available in plenty in remote areas, and forms the ideal raw material for electricity generation. Realising the huge potential of biomass-based power generation, several states in India are initiating projects to tap this rich energy resource. In the predominantly agrarian state of Punjab, the government is setting up 28 mini biomass-based power plants having a combined capacity of 400 MW. Punjab has a power requirement of 11 ,000 MW, of which around 6000 MW is produced in the state. The mini plants, to be commissioned by 2010, are expected to meet the power shortfall in the state to a certain extent. An independent mini biomass power plant of 6 MW capacity is presently operational in Muktsar town of Punjab. The plant consumes 2500 quintals of agricultural waste (mainly cotton sticks) and generates 1,60,000 units of electricity per day, which is sold to the Punjab State Electricity Board. The power plant benefits more than 200 farmers who earn extra revenue by selling their agriculture waste to the plant, besides providing employment to the local villagers. Another energy starved state, Bihar, is also embarking on electricity generation from agriculture waste. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) recently announced plans to generate 200 MW of electricity from rice husk in the state. According to MNRE sources, initially, biomass gasifier plants of 40 to 500 kW capacity would be set up in 2500 rice mills in the state to produce 100 MW of power. Husk Power 57