Bengal takes measures to tap more hydroelectric projects

Kolkata: In a bid to further tap the renewable energy resources across the state, the Bengal government has taken up an elaborate scheme to set up a number of hydroelectric projects.

The state Power department will soon start the construction of Lodhama II Small Hydro-electric project with a capacity of 10 megawatt in Darjeeling. The Power department is also reviewing the possibility of setting up of the Rammam Intermediate Stage Hydro-electric project with a capacity of 12 megawatt. The project is dependent on the outcome of acceptance of Teesta and Rammam Basin River Study by the MoEF & CC. The state government is also examining the viability of the project.

The Power department is preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of Ragnu Small Hydro-electric project in North Bengal. The department will also collect hydro-meteorological data for the preparation of the DPR.

Around six Small Hydro Projects (SHP) will be implemented also in North Bengal on a tariff-based bidding process. The projects have been named as Ritu SHP, Rishi SHP, Shri SHP, Rithukhola SHP, Teesta Bazar SHP and Tanglu Maney Bhajan SHP. The tendering process for setting up the SHPs is underway.

The Power department has also allotted various Small Hydro Projects of a total capacity of 73.5 megawatt in Darjeeling to private agencies. The DPR will be submitted by the private developers and the power department will finalise after examining the DPR.

It may be mentioned here that the Power department has developed a comprehensive 'Energy Action Plan' in order to generate world-class electricity in Bengal. The Power department has been exploiting all its resources to ensure that the people here in the state can avail the quality of electricity that is normally found in Western countries. In its attempt to produce the best quality power, the state government has focused on the renewable energy sector.

According to a senior power department official the 'Energy Action Plan' aims to produce the best quality electricity, at par with the Western countries, in the next two to three years. The state government is venturing into the unknown areas of renewable energy sources and in the future years, there will be a paradigm shift from conventional energy to renewable energy. The department is taking all the necessary steps to make the process more sustainable.