Our Bureau

Visakhapatnam , Aug 2

TWO more sugar factories in Visakhapatnam district - Tummapala and Tandava - are planning to take up co-generation with the assistance of the Non-Conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd (NEDCAP), according to Mr P.L.N. Patnaik, one of the Directors of NEDCAP.

He told newspersons on Tuesday that already, two sugar factories - Govada and Etikoppaka - had started co-generation.

"Govada is generating 14 MW, of which six MW is being used internally and the rest being supplied to the grid. At Etikoppaka, six MW of power is being generated out of bagasse. We are preparing feasibility reports for Tummapala (five MW) and Tandava (four MW)," he added.

The corporation would encourage more sugar factories to take up co-generation, he said. According to a NEDCAP survey, there is potential to generate 350 MW of power through co-generation in the State. So far, 22 projects have been sanctioned (290 MW), of which 14 projects (140 MW) have been commissioned, he said.

Sri Ram Energies Ltd has been sanctioned a project to generate 6.6 MW out of municipal solid waste in Visakhapatnam.

"There has been some delay as the unit purchase cost could not be fixed. It will be expedited. A similar project is being planned in Vizianagaram."

Mr Patnaik said that a mini-hydel project (four MW) would be taken up at Chintapalli in the district; also, wind power projects are being considered at Chintapalli, Pedabayalu, Bheemunipatnam, and Kalingapatnam.

Two villages in the district - Poosalapalem and Tammingula - would be electrified with waste wood, with each village getting Rs 30 lakh for the purpose. "Similarly, in each district, two remote villages will be electrified."

He added that 100 solar lamps would be distributed in the fishing villages along the coast in the district.

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