Gail, ESSL Sign Plan Trigeneration Projects in India

Indian state-run companies Gail and Energy Efficiency Services (EESL) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in developing trigeneration projects in India, Gail said on June 3 in a statement.

Trigeneration or combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) typically involves natural gas-fired generators to produce electricity. The waste heat from flue gas is recovered to produce hot water/steam which in turn used for heating purposes and also in absorption chillers for cooling.

"There is a significant market potential for trigeneration projects in India, particularly small industrial and commercial sectors and office buildings,” said Santanu Roy, Gail's executive director of business development and project development.

Under the MoU, Gail, India’s biggest gas marketing firm, and EESL shall jointly undertake studies and if found viable, an equal joint venture between the two companies will be incorporated for undertaking the trigeneration projects.

“As trigeneration business is at initial stage, the collaboration would enable to take first mover advantage in the trigeneration business similar to Gail's city gas business. Further, it would also push gas usage in new applications which is in line with Gail's Strategy 2030,” Roy said.