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Solar energy to power Kerala spinning mills

25
Dec '19

Pic: Shutterstock

Kerala is planning to use solar energy in spinning mills as power has been a major concern for textile mills. Switching to solar energy will significantly slash operational costs, a study has found. The Cannanore Cooperative Spinning Mills and Malabar Cooperative Textiles Ltd (Malcotex) in Kannur have sought the government’s nod for switching to solar power.

On an average, a spinning mill in Kerala runs up a monthly power bill of ₹30-40 lakh.

Cannanore Cooperative Spinning Mills Ltd has submitted a proposal to generate 400 kW of rooftop solar power from Cannanore Cooperative Spinning Mills and a 2 mW solar power project on Malcotex premises, Ramesh C R, managing director of the company, told a top South Indian newspaper.

The 2-mW project at Malcotex is estimated to cost around ₹8 crore, with the 400 kW project expected to cost ₹1.8 crore. Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) will be the implementing agency. But the agency for implementing the solar power project at Cannanore Cooperative Spinning Mills is yet to be finalised.

The monthly power consumption of the two mills is around six lakh units, which leave them with a ₹40 lakh-bill. A spinning mill spends around 18-20 per cent of its revenue on energy costs.

Since it emerged that the idea is feasible, the Alleppey Cooperative Spinning Mills Ltd and Malappuram Cooperative Spinning Mills Ltd have also decided to turn their spinning mills into solar-powered ones.

According to state industries minister E P Jayarajan, spinning mills have been facing some financial hiccups and the state government has decided to convert the spinning mills into solar-powered ones in a phased manner.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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