To keep industry moving, entrepreneurs look to the sun

To provide respite from rampant power cuts during the peak summer months, industrialists of the Industrial Model Township (IMT), Manesar, have initiated a proposal to generate solar energy to cater to nearly 125MW of energy requirement for some 800 functioning industrial units.

To provide respite from rampant power cuts during the peak summer months, industrialists of the Industrial Model Township (IMT), Manesar, have initiated a proposal to generate solar energy to cater to nearly 125MW of energy requirement for some 800 functioning industrial units.

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The Manesar Industries Welfare Association (MIWA) has roped in the Canadian power project developer — Canasia Power Corp — to assess the feasibility of a pilot project on 20 acre land near the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) at IMT.

MIWA president Amina Shervani said the proposal would be put before the authorities only after exacting the technical details and cost requirement.

“We expect to generate at least three MW from the solar power facility at the STP,” said Ashok Dhillon, CEO, Canasia Power Corp. He, however, said it would take around two months to work out the finer technical details.

IMT Manesar has nearly 2,000 plots spread across 3,500 acre that houses major automobile, garment, packaging and IT industries and residential projects. As power plays truant, industrial units have to use their own generator sets.

At present, only 60% industrial plots have functioning units. However, when all plots are occupied by industrial units, the township may require 328 MW energy.

According to rough estimates, establishing facilities for generating that much solar energy will require nearly 1,600 acre.