Coal news and updates

Ocean energy plant being planned in Andamans

A 1-mega watt (MW) ocean energy power plant would be set up at Hut Bay in the Andaman Islands for demonstration purposes.

With a grant from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the plant would be set up by Seafaradays Energy, a technology partner of the Swedish firm, Seabased AB.

The construction work of the demo plant, that would cost around US$7-8 million, will start soon and is estimated to be completed within the next financial year, Sourabh Jolly, Vice- President, Business and Strategy, Seafaradays Energy told ICMW.

”The initial 1 MW will come as a demo plant near Hut Bay with 20 units, each capable of generating 50 kW. Subsequently, the capacity of the plant will be raised to 5 MW and there will also be simultaneous installations in the south Andamans for 35-40 MW,” Jolly said.

The power generated from the plant will be purchased by Andaman & Nicobar state electricity board, he said.

As per the provisions of the Department of Research, Design Development & Demonstration under the MNRE, the ministry will provide up to 50% grant for the project, Jolly said, adding, the tariff would be decided by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Committee (JERC) and corresponding viability gap funding.

Jolly also said that initial discussion has been started for setting up a 50 MW wave energy plant at some other locations in India and discussion are on for an 8 MW plant at the naval base in Karawar.

Source: ICMW