Siliguri, May 26: North Bengal will soon see a major inflow of funds to finance environment-friendly power projects.

Speaking to The Telegraph over phone from Calcutta, S.P. Gan Choudhury, special secretary in the power department and director of West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency, said: “In the next two years, the private sector will invest as much as Rs 250 crore in mini-hydel projects in north Bengal.”

Mini-hydel projects are considered to be more ecologically sound compared to larger ones as they do not require huge dams to be built or forest cover to be destroyed.

“It is because of its eco-friendly nature that the government has been actively supporting small hydel projects. North Bengal, with its large number of swift-flowing rivers, has a lot of potential to promote green power,” said Gan Choudhury.

These projects based on non-conventional energy sources will be used exclusively for captive power generation to meet the demands of companies based in south Bengal.

“All the power generated, which amounts to around 40 MW per unit, will be used by companies in south Bengal to meet their power requirement. The power generated here will be transmitted to the southern part of the state with help from the state electricity board ,” said an official of the power department.

According to Gan Chowdhury, the investment will be made by the private sector while the government would play the role of facilitator. “We have identified the sites, prepared a feasibility report and invited companies to invest here. We have shortlisted 21 companies and allotments will be made next month,” he said.

Most companies in south Bengal depend heavily on thermal power, a non-renewable energy source that is harmful to the environment. The use of “green” power will reduce their dependence on such sources.

North Bengal will benefit from these projects by way of employment avenues in what is a labour intensive activity. It is also the first time that such a huge investment is being made in this sector.

Teesta, Chel, Peyong, Relli and Pedong have been identified as some of the rivers on which mini-hydel projects will be built.

Apart from mini-hydel projects, the government will also invest in micro-hydel ventures aimed at rural electrification.