S P Gon Chaudhuri, managing director, WBGECL said, “We have sought EoI on August 3, inviting potential private players in the renewable energy space for generating 50 Mw, combining all the renewable sources taken together. We hope to complete the process of selection within a month.”
Chaudhuri said that there could be around 10 to 15 projects. Currently, West Bengal sources only 2 to 3% of its total power needs from renewable energy source, around 100 MW, of which nearly half comes from solar energy and the remaining from biomass.
This is despite the fact that the state has a potential of close to 16,000 MW of solar, 400 MW of wind, 350 MW of biomass and 250 MW of small hydro renewable power. “We are looking at developing 50 Mw with the help of private participation. An internal review committee would be shortlisting the interested private parties and the projects will be alloted within one month,” pointed out Gon Chaudhuri.
By 2015, the company is planning to increase capacity to 500 MW which needs investment of over INR50 billion. To attract more private investment, the state is planning a new seperate state-level renewable energy policy and new incentive scheme.
“The new tariff order for renewable energy is in the final stage. It is expected by next month. We have suggested a revision of rates in order to attract more private investment. We are expecting it to be on the higher side,” said Gon Chaudhuri.
