CLP setting up 100-MW wind farm in Gujarat

Chennai: The Hong Kong-based CLP group (earlier China Light and Power Company) is setting up a 100-MW wind farm in Gujarat at a total cost of over Rs 500 crore. This, according to experts, is among the large investments in the wind power sector in the country by developers following the independent power producer model.

CLP India, the group’s subsidiary, has signed up with Enercon India Ltd, a leading wind turbine manufacturer, for the entire 100.8 MW capacity. Enercon will install 126 turbines of 800 KW capacity.

A press release available on CLP’s Web site says that “the Samana (in Gujarat) project will be the largest wind project undertaken to date by CLP and increases its renewable energy portfolio by almost one third to approximately 4.4 per cent of its total generating capacity.” According to the release, construction on the project will begin in November and the first phase of 50.4 MW will be commissioned by June 2008 and the second phase by January 2009.

Tariff

Gujarat, according to sources in the wind power industry, offers an attractive tariff for wind power. The State’s electricity regulatory commission has, in an order in August 2006, fixed a tariff of Rs 3.37 a kWh for 20 years, for new wind power projects. For earlier wind power projects, the tariff would be based on the power purchase agreement the investors signed with the State’s power utility. This will be CLP’s second major investment in the wind energy sector in India. Roaring 40s, a company in which CLP has a 50 per cent stake, is setting up a 50-MW wind farm at Khandke in Maharashtra.

Large investors

Wind industry experts say that with a number of States, especially Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Karnataka, offering attractive tariffs for wind power, the emphasis will now be on large investors setting up wind farms and selling power to the grid, rather than those investing in wind power for either captive consumption or for tax benefits.