Date:29/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/09/29/stories/2005092901071900.htm

Back Solar photo-voltaic project in Bengal

Our Bureau

Kolkata , Sept. 28

ENVIRON Energy-Tech Service Ltd, the major solar photo-voltaic solution provider for electrification in the eastern region, is in the process of setting up a large solar photo-voltaic (PV) module manufacturing unit in collaboration with a US company.

The project, which can ensure solar power of 30 MW, is estimated to cost Rs 400 crore.

The company, with the active support of the West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA), is also working on an Rs 200-crore project for electrification of 50,000 households, entirely based on solar PV.

The execution will be based on a monthly payment (by the beneficiaries) scheme, for which micro-finance will be available.

The company has already tied up Srei Infrastructure Finance and PSU banks such as UBI, UCO Bank, Allahabad Bank, Syndicate Bank and other RRBs for micro-financing of solar solutions.

Environ Energy is recognised by the World Bank, and has a finance tie-up with IFC, Washington, besides being associated with USAID, the designated US body for extending support for solar finance capacity-building alliance in eastern India.

Briefing newspersons here on Wednesday on the future plans and prospects of Environ Energy, Mr Jyoti Poddar, the company's managing director, said local clearances for the project were still awaited. He informed that suitable land at Barasat, North 24 Parganas district, has been identified, and the project work is expected to be completed within the next two years from zero date.

The project, besides opening up large rural business opportunities, will provide employment to at least 300 people. He said provision for 30 MW solar power would translate into some 5 lakh rural households.

Mr Poddar said the company was also working on the Renewable Energy Housing project of WBREDA at Rajarhat (the new township) for installation of BIPV (Building Integrated Photo-Voltaic) modules. These modules get integrated to the roof of the building, giving not only a modern look , but also generating power from a renewable non-conventional source. The company has also introduced innovative products for electrification of remote bank branches, schools, rural health centres, and dairies. Commenting on the major rural electrification project taken up, he said a new model for reaching basic power to un-electrified villages through non-conventional sources was being created in Bengal for the entire nation to follow in a cost-effective manner.

He said as per the Power Ministry's estimates, India has nearly 78 million un-electrified households, out of which in excess of 40 million rural households are in the eastern region alone.

Mr Poddar said the company's solar solutions are marketed through an extensive sales and service network, strategically situated at most places in eastern India, and Karnataka.

Environ Energy recently won the "Akshay Urja Award-2005" from the West Bengal Government for outstanding contribution towards promoting renewable energy solutions in West Bengal — installation of highest number of solar home lighting systems in West Bengal during 2003-04.