Punjab attracts Rs.1450 crore record investment in non-conventional energy secto

kds1980 · #1 (**permalink**) 22-Jun-2009, 04:19 AM

Punjab attracts Rs.1450 crore record investment in non-conventional energy sector
NAVDEEP
Sunday, 21 June 2009

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has finalized the allocation 31 decentralized Biomass Power Projects with aggregate capacity of 338 MW to private developers for setting up biomass based power projects having capacity ranging from 5 MW to 20 MW in 31 Tehsils of the State on the basis of competitive bidding in line with the State New and Renewable Sources of Energy Policy.

Stating this here Sunday Viswajeet Khanna, Secretary, Science & Technology said that these power projects are to be set up in the State on Build, Operate and Own (BOO) basis and private investment to the tune of Rs. 1450 Crore has been attracted in this sector. Out of these, 21 such projects having total capacity of 220 MW have been allocated to the private developers. All these power projects are scheduled to be commissioned by September 2010. He said that in order to encourage cogeneration in the industries, PEDA has also facilitated and commissioned 6 Biomass Cogeneration Projects with a total capacity of 39 MW and 4 such projects of total capacity of 91 MW were under advanced state of execution.

Another 8 Nos. Cogeneration Biomass Projects with a total capacity of 71 MW were in the pipeline and MOUs for the same were being signed shortly. With the commissioning of all these power projects direct employment for 1600 skilled persons and indirect employment for 5000 persons will be created in the state. He said that these power projects being environment friendly would help in abatement of Green House Gases (GHG) emissions responsible for global warming and help the state in earning carbon credits.

The Secretary said that Punjab faces peak power shortage to the tune of 3000 MW, the commissioning of these environment friendly projects would help in supplementing power requirement of the State to the tune of around 26% through renewable energy resources. He further informed that the State Government was committed to promote renewable power through private sector by providing attractive tariff and fiscal incentives for these projects in order to add 1000 MW capacity to the state grid through renewable resources in the next two years.

Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu, Chief Executive, PEDA, informed that in addition to Biomass Projects, PEDA has also signed MoUs for sale of power from 66 Nos. Small/Micro Hydel Projects with a total capacity of 275 MW.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/punjab/25499-punjab-attracts-rs-1450-crore-record.html

He said that with a view to give push to Renewable energy Power Projects, the State government had been in interaction with the private developers for attracting private investment for setting up of these environment friendly projects in the state. He further informed that Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), the state nodal agency for promotion and development of renewable energy power projects, has taken major initiative for attracting private sector for setting up renewable energy power projects especially decentralized Biomass Power Projects in the state.