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 LIGHTING
UP THE STREETS
Over the
last two-three years Dwarikesh is focusing specifically on
power co-generation as demand for power is witnessing a
nationwide increase. Power is a bi-product of sugar industry
as the calorific value of bagasse (another bi-product) is
very high. This can be used as a non-conventional renewable
fuel in co-generation set-up.
In the true Dwarikesh spirit, we have started focusing, in a
big way, on power co-generation over the last few years, in
view of the increasing demand for power nationwide. Power is
another by-product of the sugar industry as the calorific
value of bagasse (another by-product) is very high. This can
be used as a non- conventional renewable fuel in
co-generation set-up.
For a sugar mill, opting for co-generation of power has the
following advantages:
- The mill gets an additional revenue stream.
- The mill can also partly protect itself from the cyclical
nature of businesses such as sugar, alcohol, molasses and
bagasse.
- The duration of crushing can be extended on the economics
of co-generation even after sugar recovery falls to low and
uneconomic levels at the end of the season.
During the year 2008-09, our earnings from this segment
stood at Rs. 3766.38 lacs.
Power co-gen earned the company a
segment revenue of Rs. 393 millions during the year ended on
30th September, 2008. Dwarikesh sugar sees bright future
prospects in this sector and is constantly increasing its
capacity to produce power. About 56 mw of power from the
plant is available for sale to the Uttar Pradesh state grid.
Rest of the power is used captively. Dwarikesh's power
co-generation plant was commissioned in 1996 with an initial
generation capacity of 6 MW. It was expanded to 9 MW in 2002
and was further increased to 26 MW in 2006 and has touched
the figure of 86 Mw in 2007 .
The state government is our biggest
consumer in this regard. However, with the production going
up constantly and substantially, the company may explore
other avenues to sale power. As of now, the management has
ruled out entry into other parts of the country. The company
has started banking some units with the state grid with a
provision to get the same back in off season to meet out the
requirements of electricity for repair & maintenance and for
providing electricity to offices and colony. Thus, the
Company has saved valuable money which were earlier being
consumed in purchasing diesel required to run D G Sets. |
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