Tata Power signs geothermal power plant pact with Gujarat government
17 Jan 2009
India's largest integrated private power company, The Tata Power Company Limited, has signed a memorandum of understanding with government of Gujarat to explore the possibility of setting up a 5 MW geothermal power plant in Gujarat.
The company also signed an MoU for developing a 5 MW solar power plant in Gujarat.
Prasad Menon, managing director, Tata Power, said, "We are happy about this strategic partnership with government of Gujarat. This partnership not only strengthens our renewable portfolio but also creates opportunities to expand our presence in the growing renewable energy market in India. We look forward to the synergistic opportunities that the alliance presents us. "
Geothermal energy is the natural heat found within the earth, where temperature increases with depth, typically by 10-50 degree celsius / km.
In enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) technology, heat is extracted from granites located at a depth of a more than 4,000 metres by circulating water through them in an engineered artificial reservoir. The heated water returns to the surface under pressure and is converted into electricity via a heat exchanger and conventional geothermal power plant.
Tata Power's presence in solar includes ''Tata BP Solar India Ltd.'' a joint venture with BP Solar, one of the world's largest integrated energy companies.
Tata BP Solar is a market leader in solar photovoltaic technology in India with a turnover of Rs660 crore. Nearly 75 per cent of its sales come from exports largely to Europe and the US. Its growth plans include expansion of its module manufacturing facility and thrust on domestic sales.