In a first, Delhi to buy 350MW power from wind farms | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

In a first, Delhi to buy 350MW power from wind farms

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Mar 14, 2018 10:55 PM IST

The discoms will purchase wind power at the rate of Rs 2.44 per unit which is even cheaper than power procured from thermal stations. With this, wind energy will have the highest share among the renewable sources that are used to meet Delhi’s power demand.

In a first for the city, Delhi will use wind energy to meet its growing power demand. Moving beyond solar power, distribution companies (discoms) in the city are now going to procure 350 MW of wind energy.

Officials said that the advantage with renewable energy is that discoms do not have to pay any transmission and fixed charges. It is likely that the power would be bought from wind farms in Tamil Nadu or Gujarat.(REUTERS/FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY)
Officials said that the advantage with renewable energy is that discoms do not have to pay any transmission and fixed charges. It is likely that the power would be bought from wind farms in Tamil Nadu or Gujarat.(REUTERS/FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY)

With this, wind energy will have the highest share among the renewable sources that are used to meet Delhi’s power demand. Solar energy satiates 141MW of the capital’s energy needs.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“After a series of meetings, discoms are ready to procure wind power which is at present the cheapest energy source in the country. Wind is complimentary to solar as a source since it mainly comes at night. This will help us in the non-peak hours, as well as to meet Delhi’s non-solar renewable purchase obligation (RPO),” said Varsha Joshi, principal secretary (power).

The discoms will purchase wind power at the rate of Rs 2.44 per unit which is even cheaper than power procured from thermal stations. “The lowest bid for wind has gone to Rs 2.43 per unit and Rs 2.44 for solar energy. Even when it is compared to coal-based electricity, which is the conventional source, wind will be cheaper for discoms,” an official from the power department said.

The cheapest power Delhi buys from among thermal power stations is from Singrauli which costs discoms Rs 2.7 per unit. Power from the Dadri station, on the other hand, comes at around Rs 4.5 per unit.

Since there is no scope for harnessing wind in Delhi, discoms applied for SECI’s inter-state bidding process. In this, discom BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) which supplies electricity to south and west Delhi areas got an allocation of 150 MW, while BSES Yamuna (BYPL) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) have got 50 MW each. It is likely that the power will be procured from wind stations at Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

“Apart from this, BRPL has also signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) of another 100 MW of wind energy with Power Trading Corporation of India Limited (PTC). We have been procuring energy from all available renewable sources at economical rates,” said a BSES spokesperson. The company has also tied up for buying around 80 MW of hydroelectricity.

Officials said that the advantage with renewable energy is that discoms do not have to pay any transmission and fixed charges. “Transmission charges are waived off for renewable power procurement which also means that the cost incurred in transmission losses is also saved,” another official working in the government’s green energy team said.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Sweta Goswami writes on politics, urban development, transportation, energy and social welfare. Based in Delhi, she tracks government policies and suggests corrections based on public feedback and on-ground implementation through her reports. She has also covered the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) since its inception.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On