'Kerala has potential for wind, solar energy generation'

Thiruvananthapuram: Corporates are ready to invest in non-conventional energy generation projects like ind and solar power if the government provides adequate infrastructural facilities, Chairman of the Muthoot Pappachan group, John Muthoot, said in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.

Kerala had the potential to generate nearly 2,000 mw of wind energy at three spots--Ramakkalmedu, Kanjikode and Attappadi in Palakkad district. There was also tremendous scope for tapping solar energy, he told reporters.

Kerala was at present generating only 22 mw of wind power, he said. The Muthoot group had invested Rs 150 crore in Kanyakumari district in neighbouring Tamil Nadu in the wind energy sector and was generating 25 mw of power worth Rs 10 to 12 crore every year.

He said companies like Muthoot were also prepared to invest in solar energy if the state government came forward with a solar energy policy like in Tamil Nadu.

Kerala could not seize the opportunity when the Centre provided incentives to the solar sector. In the last budget, the Centre had withdrawn the incentives, he said.

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