Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Ethanol-blended petrol to be launched in March

By Our Staff Reporter

Hosur Feb. 15. Ethanol-blended petrol will be launched in Tamil Nadu by March, said the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency, Chairman and Managing Director, K. Allaudin, speaking to reporters here yesterday.

It has been decided to initially introduce a 5 per cent mix here, though Brazil and other countries have gone in for a 20 per cent mix.

The process is not expected to draw many concessions except a reduction in excise duty but the mixing would benefit farmers.

However, he noted the thrust was more on augmenting wind energy.

Out of the 1700 MW being produced through wind energy as much as 900 MW was from Tamil Nadu.

Similarly, through biomass, the power produced worked out to 400 MW out of which the State accounted for 165 MW.

Mr. Allaudin called on industrialists to invest in windmills, as it would automatically ensure their share of power in the grid.

As many as 40 sites have been identified as ideal for setting up mills based on wind speed of 18 km an hour. But of them only 17 sites have been utilised.

Mupandal, Kayatharu and Kethanoor have been rated as the best.

On power production through biomass, Mr. Allaudin said presently 49 taluks have been identified for setting up such units and till date as many as 109 applications have been received.

A trial run was in progress at a sago unit at Pappireddipatti near Dharma Uri, to which sago waste could be used for producing power.

Earlier, Mr. Allaudin inaugurated a seminar on Use of Renewable Energy for Industries at the Ashok Leyland Management Development Centre.

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