As part of encouraging power production from small streams in the hilly areas of the state, there has been a huge response from investors with 25 pico hydro-electric projects expected to be completed by the end of this month.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will be providing subsidy to investors for power production so that it is available in the remote areas where the Kerala State Electricity Board cannot reach the masses.
Already 12 projects have been commissioned at Wayanad and Munnar and the rest will be completed by the end of this month, which is the cut-off date announced by the Union Ministry.
The Energy Management Centre (EMC) is the nodal agency for identifying potential investors for setting up the pico hydroelectric projects in the state.
Following the huge response, the EMC has approached MNRE to extend the date of providing subsidy for those coming forward to implement the project, EMC joint director G Anil said.
Around 50 sites have been identified by the EMC for pico hydro-electric projects. Following their success, more investors are expected to come forward.
“More such projects can come up at Wayanad, Pathanamthitta, Adimali and Munnar. The MNRE will provide `1.1 lakh as subsidy for power generation below 5 KW,” Anil said.
This project is a great boon for plantation farmers and individuals in the hilly areas where electricity is not available.
Around 12 projects were undertaken at cardamom plantations which helps to dry the product and provide power to the workers who are staying in these remote areas. Individuals have also come forward to take up the power projects as 1 KW of power could be generated at a cost of around `1.5 lakh, of which they have to shell out only `40,000.
According to Anil, by the end of this month, 125 KW of power could be generated through this pico projects. The MNRE came up with this ambitious project to utilise stream water.
Water is taken to the generator through a small penstock which can produce the power needed for the area.