Cairn India has kicked off introducing green energy initiatives at its Ravva oilfield in Andhra Pradesh. With this, the company aims to save at least 45 MWH (45,000 units) of power annually, and turn eco-friendly as well. Following encouraging initial results, the company decided to take up further implementation of green technologies in a phased manner across the oilfield and at its onshore terminals, besides street lighting at neighbouring villages in the next two years.

The vast potential for solar energy in the country is untapped, though it is currently expensive, said a company spokesperson. With the advent of thin film technology and nanotechnology, solar energy will soon turn a viable alternative to conventional energy, the spokesperson said.

Cairn has started with solar street lighting systems, solar water heaters and LED lighting systems. Renewable power through wind turbines on offshore platforms are also on cards. Select areas within the terminal are being lit with LED lamps on solar energy. The Ravva asset has renewable energy installed capacity of 19 mwh per annum.

But the actual generation will differ from the installed capacity due to variation in sun intensity and wind pattern. Renewable energy generated from solar and wind mills cater to the demand for critical loads like PLC telemetry system, navigational aids, platform emergency and Helideck lights