Rajasthan plans to spend $1.6B on wind, biomass

State-run agency Rajasthan Renewable Energy said the government there plans to spend $1.6 billion on renewable energy projects.

The Rajasthan government has signed agreements with 14 companies to build wind and biomass plants that are expected to be operational by 2011 or 2012.

Rajasthan is one of India's 10 states to adopt the renewable energy requirement. Nineteen have not.

The state is already one of the leading producers of wind power in India, with an estimated capacity of 5,400 megawatts.

The newest plans include five wind-energy projects with a combined power generation capacity of 1,600 megawatts, which are planned for Jaisalmer, Barmer and Jodhpur.

Eight biomass projects are planned for the Tonk, Sirohi, Baran, Alwar, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Nagaur, Hanumangarh and Jalore districts.

Rajasthan already has an installed capacity of 492 MW of wind energy at five sites in Jaisalmer, Devgarh and Phalodi. Today's biomass capacity is 46 MW.

Rajasthan's $1.6 billlion in agreements include:

• $1 billion worth of wind-energy plants to be built by Suzlon Energy (BOM: 532667) subsidiary Suzlon Gujarat Wind Park.
• $218 million in supplies from Aurich, Germany-based turbine manufacturer Enercon's subsidiary, Enercon India.
• $181 million in a deal with Wish Wind Infrastructure.

In November, the Indian state of Haryana announced plans to spend Rs 3,777 crore ($777 million USD) to increase its renewable energy contribution to 10 percent using 715 MW of solar, biomass, wind and small hydro (see Indian state plans $777M for renewable energy).