The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to generate around 100 kilowatt of renewable energy at the Middle Vaitarna dam located at Thane's Kochale village. The civic body will set up a solar panel and a windmill at the site to generate electricity meant for dam operations.
The proposal will be tabled before the standing committee on Friday. Following due approval, the civic body will award the contract for setting up a solar panel and a windmill. The total cost of the project has been estimated at around Rs 2.71 crore.
The Middle Vaitarna dam is around 145 kilometre away from Thane city. Electric supply to the dam is a challenge as the nearest power grid of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) is around 40 kilometre away.
"There is a dense forest and villages through which the electricity wires pass, and there is always a chance of disruption in power supply," an official from the Hydraulic Engineering Department of the BMC said. He added that the dam needs constant electric supply especially during the four months of monsoon.
The official also said that the dam is a sensitive area and CCTV monitoring is required. "The renewal energy generated will also be used for running CCTV cameras," the official added.
In order to solve the problem and provide incessant power supply, the civic body decided to generate electricity through renewable resources. "The area records 45 degree of temperature and wind speed here is 2.4 to 5 metre per second; these are favourable conditions for both solar and wind energy," the official said.
"We have finalised M/s Vijay Engineering and Machinery for the project who will design, supply machinery, set up and start the operation," the official further added.
WHAT'S THE NEED
- The BMC will set up a solar panel and a windmill at the site to generate electricity meant for dam operations. The proposal will be tabled before the standing committee on Friday
- Electric supply to the dam is a challenge as the nearest power grid of the MSEDCL is around 40 kilometre away. Middle Vaitarna dam is 145 km away from Thane city
