Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120351711900.htm

Back Campco plans wind energy production

A.J. Vinayak

Mangalore, Dec. 2

Central Areacanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (Campco) Ltd is treading an unusual path to become self sufficient in power consumption. The cooperative will be setting up a wind energy plant at Hoovina Hadagali in Bellary district.

Mr S.R. Rangamurthy, President of Campco, told Business Line here that the cooperative has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Suzlon for setting up a wind energy plant.

The 1.25-MW plant would come up at Hoovina Hadagali. “The power produced will not be sold. After wheeling it, the power will be used for our chocolate factory in Puttur,” he said. The electricity produced at Hoovina Hadagali will be supplied to the grid and used for its factory consumption.

Stating that order placement for the unit will be made in a few days, he said the Campco board has already adopted a resolution in this matter.

Investment

Asked about the investment in the project, he said around Rs 7 crore will be invested in this project.

To a query on the saving to the cooperative with this project, Mr Rangamurthy said that the cooperative is paying around Rs 4.5 per unit to Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. The generation cost at the proposed Hoovina Hadagali plant will be to the tune of Rs 1.78 per unit. Another seven per cent wheeling charge will be added to this.

“In all, we will get power at Rs 2.30 per unit. This will help control cost at our factory,” he said.

Stating that work on the wind energy power plant will begin soon, he said: “By March 15, work on the unit will be over and functioning will start.”