Wind Energy

Wind energy in India: GMDC to add 50 MW to wind power capacity

The Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) is in the process of expanding its wind farm generation capacity further by 50 MW at an investment of approximately Rs300 crore, a senior official said. The state-owned company already has over 100 MW of wind power capacity. "We are adding another 50 MW of wind farm generation capacity, which would take our total wind turbines capacity to over 150 MW. The 50 MW wind farm is coming up at Bhanwad in Jamnagar district," GMDC MD, VS Gadhavi said.

The EPC contract for the wind farm development project has been awarded to Suzlon Energy. GMDC is investing around Rs300 crore for the expansion project, which is likely to be commissioned in October.

On completion, the project would generate around 10 crore units of electricity each year. According to officials, the entire power produced at the wind farm would be sold to Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL). The present tariff for wind power is Rs3.56 per unit.

Gadhavi said that the wind power project is also expected to generate carbon credits for GMDC, but added that benefits in terms of revenue are being ascertained.

The mining major has diversified in alternative energy generation in a big way. Its existing 100.50 MW wind power projects are located in coastal areas of Rajkot, Jamnagar and Porbandar.

It has also commissioned a 5 MW solar power plant on reclaimed mined-out area at its Panandhro lignite mines in Kutch. The solar plant is expected to generate just over 8 million units of electricity per year, with a projected revenue of Rs12 crore.

Wind power in India

1997: 940 MW
1998: 992 MW (+5.6 %)
1999: 1,035 MW (+4.4 %)
2000: 1,267 MW (+22.5 %)
2001: 1,507 MW (+19 %)
2002: 1,702 MW (+13 %)
2003: 2,110 MW (+24 %)
2004: 3,000 MW (+42.2 %)
2005: 4,430 MW (+47.7 %)
2006: 6,270 MW (+41.6 %)
2007: 7,850 MW (+25.2 %)
2008: 9,587 MW (+22.2 %)
2009: 10,926 MW (+14 %)
2010: 13,065 MW (+19.6 %)
2011: 15,800 MW (+21 %)

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