In Kerala, Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has decided to harness wind power at Marine Drive in Kochi city! The Authority is planning to tap wind energy for power lighting systems at the Marine Drive walkway. In the first phase, the authority plans to generate about five kilowatt electricity which can power 100 lights installed at the walkway on a trial basis.    

GCDA Chairman N Venugopal said that the Authority has done an initial study and conducted tests. It can generate about 10 kilowatt from a wind-powered turbine at Marine Drive. Before installing a windmill, the Authority will conduct a trial, he said.    

The turbine will be installed at the northern side of the newly-constructed stretch of the walkway at an expense of Rs 3.90 lakh. In the second stage, the authorities will try to utilise energy generated to power the metal-halide (MH) lamps installed in the same area, he added.    

More such wind-powered turbines will be set up at the available spaces along the Marine Drive stretch if the trial turns out to be a success. The project has been entrusted with a private agency, United Electricals, which is also executing solar energy projects undertaken by GCDA.