A 4-MW solar power farm by Indian Oil Corporation at Irumpanam is likely to be commissioned by March 2019. Work on filling the land and the compound wall for the solar farm is under way. The project cost is approximately ₹28 crore, IOC sources said. They said that power from the upcoming solar farm would meet most of the energy needs of IOC’s offices in Kerala.
The oil company has also established a micro windmill at its Kollam LPG bottling plant. The company has set up large-scale rainwater harvesting system besides selling plant saplings through select fuel retail outlets. IOC has introduced the brand ‘Vipinam’ for its plant sapling sale, sources added.
They also said that the company’s State offices and employees’ quarters have set up rainwater harvesting systems.
At Irumpanam plant, even the firefighting requirements will be met through rainwater harvesting. The facility has helped IOC avoid using processed water for its facilities and safety arrangements.
Small and micro solar plants have also been established at all offices and bottling plants. Besides, the oil company has also switched to LED lighting systems at its facilities, considerably reducing power consumption at the establishments.
A waste-to-fertiliser plant has also been set up at Irumpanam, where organic waste will be segregated and treated.