Lanco’s foray into Solar Business

Lanco Solar is a global developer with presence in United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, USA & Canada. 

Lanco Solar is a global Engineering, Procurement and Construction Company to deliver EPC solutions 

Lanco Solar is establishing integrated manufacturing facility to produce 300 MW Photovoltaic modules per annum 

Lanco Solar Holdings, Singapore, a subsidiary of Lanco Infratech Ltd. has unveiled its solar plans. It is implementing a fully integrated business strategy as a Developer of Solar Farms, EPC contractor and also integrated manufacturer of solar PV modules. Lanco Solar is present in both solar PV and Solar Thermal technologies.

Under various policies of both state and central governments, Lanco Solar has already signed power purchase agreements to the extent of 140 MW and aims to develop 200-300 MW of solar power over the next 2 years. Lanco Solar also offers turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services to other solar power developers and are looking to build 300-500 MW of solar thermal and solar PV plants over the next couple of years. Lanco Solar has also secured contracts for establishing solar power generation projects to be built on Parliament house and Science City in Punjab.

Lanco Solar has established a global presence across United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, USA & Canada. Lanco Solar is developing Solar Power Plants & providing turnkey EPC services in these countries. The first few projects in Europe are expected to be commissioned by April 2011.

As part of its integrated business strategy, Lanco is setting up India's first integrated Solar PV manufacturing Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project in Rajnandgaon district of Chhatisgarh. In an event which was marked with presence of distinguished gathering. Hon. Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Raman Singh laid the foundation stone for the SEZ project while Dr Farooq Abdullah, Hon. Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy was the Guest of Honour for the event. The SEZ project is being developed in phases and will have integrated facilities for manufacture of Polysilicon , Ingots, wafers, PV Cells and PV modules with capacities of 250 MW/year equivalent. First phase of the project with an investment of Rs.1370 crores, consisting of Polysilicon, Ingots & Wafers, will be fully operational by year 2012. The state-of-the-art project is the first such integrated solar photovoltaic facility coming up in India, putting the country and the State of Chhattisgarh in the global map of polysilicon production bases.

The high-technology processes involved in the project are similar to that of semiconductor industry The facility is being designed to produce polysilicon of very high purity (micro-electronic grade) and will be set up using technology from Germany and USA.

The SEZ project would provide major boost to the local employment creation and small and medium scale ancillary industries in and around the area. It will create direct and indirect employment for 8,000 people. The project will enhance local entrepreneurship in many fields such as aluminum frame manufacturing, chemical process industries, electrical and electronic industries and construction industry. Small and Medium enterprises such as cutting tools, graphite machining, glass manufacturing, quartz crucible production,panel and switchgear repairing, PLC and robotics-cum-automation servicing, pallets and plastic packaging industry and ash bricks for servicing and maintenance would additionally provide job opportunities for a large number of people in and around the area.

The project would provide the critical backward integration for the solar projects undertaken by the company. Lancohas signed power purchase agreements with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN) for development of a 5MW solar PV project and a 100MW solar Thermal project in the state of Rajasthan under the first phase of the National Solar Mission. In addition, it has signed up with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) for development of a 35 MW Solar PV project in the state of Gujarat. The company has already commissioned a 5 MW solar PV project in Gujarat using its in-house EPC capabilities, while another 5 MW is under development.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah, said, "One of the main objectives of National solar mission is to take a global leadership role in solar manufacturing across the value chain, including setting up of manufacturing capacities for poly silicon. I am happy that this integrated project is the first step in this direction."

Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr. Raman Singh, said, "In view of the nations determined foray into renewable energy, this project would play a critical role as integrated manufacturer of equipment for solar industry and also help the state in being at the forefront of clean energy revolution promoting non-polluting industries. The SEZ would help the state in creating thousands of employment opportunities in the region and boost small and medium scale entrepreneurship in the state."

Present at the occasion, Mr. L Madhusudhan Rao, Chairman, LITL, said, "Lanco Infratech has been developing a number of solar projects and has been at the forefront in its commitment to develop and promote renewable energy in India. India's 1st Solar PV manufacturing SEZ would provide components not only for Lanco projects but for the whole industry. It would also help the country in developing critical technologies in the solar energy sector and prove as a stepping stone for future of solar power in India."

Source: Lanco’s foray into Solar Business

ONGC finds shale gas in Bengal

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the country’s biggest energy explorer, has struck shale gas reserves in its maiden well in West Bengal. This is the first time shale gas has been discovered in sedimentary shale gas rocks outside the US and Canada.

“ONGC created an exploration landmark when gas flowed out from the Barren Measure shale at a depth of around 1,700 metres, in its first R&D well, RNSG-1, near Durgapur at Icchapur, West Bengal,” the state-run company said in a statement.

Though the well is still under assessment, the breakthrough is significant, as India is the first Asian country where gas was discovered from shale outside the US and Canada. “The well was drilled down to a depth of 2,000 metres. The Barren Measure Shale, which is the main target, was encountered from 985 to 1,843 metres,” the statement said.

Exploration of shale gas, an unconventional energy source, has witnessed a surge in the US and Canada in recent times and is making substantial contribution to total gas production. In the US, shale gas contributes nearly 17 per cent of total gas produce.

The R&D project, which involved drilling of four wells in the Damodar Basin — two wells in the Raniganj sub-basin in West Bengal and two wells in the North Karanpura sub-basin in Jharkhand, was operationalised with the help of Schlumberger. “The estimated expenditure is about Rs 168 crore and the total project is expected to be completed within 520 days,” ONGC said.

Source: ONGC finds shale gas in Bengal

KSEB, environmentalists get ready with argument | | | Indian Express

KOCHI: With the Madhav Gadgil Committee scheduled to visit Athirappilly on Saturday, both KSEB and environment groups are preparing arguments to submit before the panel.

The committee is visiting Athirappilly to make a final assessment on the feasibility of the proposed Athirappilly hydroelectric project.

KSEB has prepared a report to be presented before the committee. The Board will say that the project will solve the huge power shortage in the state as it is expected to generate 163 MW power.

The Electricity Board will further say that the Union Government had given clearance thrice and that several studies have shown that there will not be any environmental issues if the project was implemented. The KSEB will specify in its report that the Central Water Commission has said that the river has sufficient water for a hydroelectric project.

It was in 1998 that the project got the first clearance. Soon, the issue was caught in a legal battle.

In 2005, following a fresh environment impact study, it got the clearance again and for the third time it got clearance in 2007.

However, environment groups are planning to present their arguments based on the possible impact of the project on biodiversity and how it will affect the Kadar tribe in the region.

They will say that the project is socially and economically unviable.

The cost for the project is increasing rapidly. Hence it would be economically unviable.

According to the Central Electricity Authority, maintaining the waterfalls and generating electricity together will not be feasible, environmentalists say.

The environmental groups will further say that already about 40 percent of water from the river is being diverted for similar projects.

"There are four dams operating for Parambikulam Aliyar and then there is the Edamalayar diversion. Hence the water from the river is already regulated. It is necessary for the authorities to go for a Cumulative Impact Assessment. In the case of Athirappilly this has not been done.

Only if there is such an assessment, the impact of the proposed project can be understood," A Latha, of the River Research Centre, Thrissur, said.

Source: KSEB, environmentalists get ready with argument | | | Indian Express

Dhobi ghat: MC's dream project flops

CHANDIGARH: Launched in 2007, the much-publicized pilot project of "modern dhobi ghat" was started in Sector 15 to facilitate the area residents and a large number of students staying as the paying guests (PGs) but the project was abruptly closed in 2008. This ambitious project of Chandigarh municipal corporation ran into rough weather because of the non-payment of electricity bills. Later on, it was closed and with it ended MC's plan of more such 'dhobi ghats' in other sectors.

Expressing her concern over her dream project's failure, councillor Harjinder Kaur stated that the civic body mayors could not take forward the project the way it should have been expanded. "MC authorities had even decided to go ahead with the modernization and upgradation of three more 'dhobi ghats' at a cost of Rs 105 lakh. But the proposal was shelved after Sector 15-D laundry mart was closed due to a dispute between the washermen and the MC authorities on water and electricity bill payment," she said.

Senior nominated councillor AP Sanwaria said, "This was a fantastic move to start a modern 'dhobi ghat' for the benefit of students and PGs in and around Sector 15. For one-and-half-a-year, it ran smoothly but later troubles starting pouring in. There ensued a difference of opinion between the 'dhobi ghat' society and corporation officials. As it failed to reach an agreement then, the UT electricity department disconnected the supply and the it was closed."

Another nominated councillor MPS Chawla had different take on the issue. "First of all, the municipal corporation should not have run this project on its own. They should have given it to a private sector company and have given them subsidy as well to run this people-friendly project in a smooth manner."

Area councillor and former city mayor Anu Chatrath said, "Earlier, the modern 'dhobi ghat' in Sector 15 was closed due to dispute over electricity bills between the dhobi association members and the corporation officials. But now, it has stared functioning. Another dhobi ghat is coming up in Sector 7."

Source:-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Dhobi-ghat-MCs-dream-project-flops/articleshow/7331023.cms