U.S diplomat calls for more energy sector cooperation

Monday, 30 October 2006, 20:30 IST
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Kolkata: U.S Consul General in Kolkata, Henry V. Jardine, called for stronger ties with India in the energy sector as he praised a micro-turbine project launched in West Bengal with US assistance as an example of the growing bilateral cooperation. Jardine was the chief guest at a programme in Purulia district of south Bengal where the project was formally inaugurated by West Bengal Power Minister Mrinal Banerjee. This is India's first such project and will generate 30 KW of power benefiting around 100 families and a dairy farm, which is hosting the project. The project cost is approximately $300,000 (135 million) out of which the US government funding is approximately $65,000 (2.95 million). The project was initiated in September 2003 when the US-Asia Environmental Partnership (USAEP) provided funding for a pre-feasibility study on the potential of micro-turbine technology in India based on biomass/biogas applications. The entire project, coordinated by the West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA), is now being supported by USAID.
Source: IANS