“The entire aim behind the project was the utilisation of wind capacity at the Morni hills for the production of electricity. The department set up a pilot project of aero-generators at Morni. Also known as wind solar hybrid system, it is the first-of-its-kind in the state. After the success of the project, a large number of panchayats of the area approached us for the installation of the system at their areas also,” said Sumita Mishra, Director of HAREDA.

“Though there are several separate systems such as solar and diesel, for the production of electricity, wind solar hybrid was installed on experimental basis. The system requires a specific velocity of wind for working and Aravallis and Morni hills are the only places where that amount of wind is available,”she added. After the success of the pilot project at Chakli village, the Morni Panchayat Samiti, residents of Serla and Thandog panchayats approached them for the installation of the project.

At least 75 per cent of the project cost is being subsidised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, while for the rest of the amount is being borne by the installing agency Anand Solar Technology, Gurgaon. “The 10-kilowatt aero-generator was installed near Chakli village that provided electricity to Chakli and Ramsar. Out of this 10 KW, around 6.6 KW of electricity is produced from the wind energy, 3.4 KW is generated by the solar energy,” said Mishra.

The capacities in different panchayats, where the system would now be put up, would be different. “Monitoring stations have been put up Aravalli belt, including Gurgaon, Mahendergarh and Rewari, to check the feasibility of the project there,” said an official.