THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : As part of upping power generation in the state, a comprehensive mapping of non-conventional energy sources across the districts, is underway.
The Finance Minister Thomas Isaac on Thursday, signed an agreement with the central research agency NIWE(National Institute of Wind Engineering), in this regard.
The agency by December 2020, will prepare a comprehensive study report along with a detailed map on gales of wind sweeping across the state. Based on the findings, wind farms comprising turbines will be set up at locations suitable for energy generation.
NIWE estimate puts production possible from Kerala’s winds at 1700 MW.
In 1990s, a study carried out by Indian Meteorological Dept(IMD) and Agency For Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology(ANERT) estimated production levels at 790 MW from the state's wind resources. Wind speeds at up to 30 meters was considered the parameter at that time.
The new study takes into its fold wind speeds up to 100 meters, hence the enhanced production estimate.
Incidentally, turbines installed in Palakkad and Idduki districts, generate 76 KW of electricity.
In the south, Aghasthya valley, Ponmudi and Achankovil regions are said to be having wind speeds of up to 30 Kmph. NIWE will set up special centres to stuudy energy potentials in these areas. Each centre of this kind costs Rs 16 lakh.
As part of Kerala’s energy mission, ANERT has drawn up plan to generate 100 MW electricity from non-conventional sources by 2021. An additional energy of 500 MW is expected to be produced once NIWE submits its study, said programme officer Ajit Gopi.
