"We initially have plans to begin operations in coastal Maharashtra with a 25 MW of wind energy project, which we aim to increase to 100 MW," said M B Lal, HPCL chairman and managing director said at the energy security conference organised by FICCI in Mumbai.
He said the company was in talks with the state electricity board for selling the power to the grid or to the board through bilateral contracts.
The company would be investing Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) initially for its foray into wind energy. Besides, the petroleum major has plans to launch pilot projects for Jatropha farming for bio-diesel production in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
"We have chalked out a project aimed at bio-diesel production, with pilot projects in Jatropha farming coming up in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. We are also in talks with Pantnagar University in Uttaranchal, which has already done some research in these areas," Lal said.
Speaking about Jatropha cultivation, he said shortage of Jatropha seeds was a problem that needs to be addressed. It takes three years for the seeds to be ready for extraction.
"There has been talk of some technique, which would cut this span to nine months, we are looking to introduce and experiment such techniques through our pilot project. Besides, we would also be assuring purchase of seeds for its further processing," he said.
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