Hindustan Petroleum Corporation's wind power foray is facing teething troubles. The state-run company plans to set up 100 mw capacity at an investment of Rs 500 crore (Rs 5 billion).
Its first project - a pilot of 25 mw coming up in Maharashtra's Dhule district - is being shifted to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan following protests by farmers.
"The company has in principle agreed to shift the present operations to Jaisalmer. Complete clearance for the project will come by this week. We have all the resources in place to start operations in Jaisalmer," said an HPCL official, who requested anonymity. Total investment in the 25 mw project is pegged at about Rs 145 crore (Rs 1.45 billion).
The company has so far installed only three wind generators with total capacity of 3.75 mw at Dhule. It will now install the remaining 17 wind generators (21.25 mw) at Jaisalmer.
"HPCL's decision to diversify into a different energy source is promoted by the carbon credit and depreciation tax waivers that such companies get from the government for producing clean energy," explained a Mumbai-based analyst.
HPCL has similar projects in the offing in other states, too. "The board has approved another 25 mw project and has invited tenders for it," the official said.
According to the Indian Wind Energy Association, India's total installed wind energy capacity at present stands at 7,850 mw as against 6,270 mw in 2006 and 4,430 mw in 2005.
The global wind energy sector grew 26.6 per cent whereas India registered a growth rate of 25.2 per cent. Worldwide, wind energy installations stood at 19,696 mw in 2007 from 15,120 mw in 2006.
