Rich May: News
December 2008
Rich May Client Astonfield Renewable Resources Limited to Open Green Power Plant in India
Astonfield Solar Private Limited (Astonfield), a subsidiary of Rich May
client Astonfield Renewable Resources Limited, has signed a power
purchase agreement with the Indian company West Bengal State
Electricity Distributions Company Limited, and will soon begin
construction on a solar power plant in India. Once the plant is up and
running, Astonfield will be the first privately-owned green power plant
company to supply directly to consumers in India. In order to minimize
any adverse environmental effects caused by the construction of the
plant, it will be built on 26 acres of mostly infertile land in
Bankura, in the Bengal region of India. The plant should be fully
operational in October 2009, and Astonfield hopes it will put out seven
million units of solar energy annually. “We want this to be our Durga
Puja gift to the local people,” said Astonfield’s chairman Sourabh Sen,
referring to an annual Bengali festival. “Although we are here to run a
business, we have an emotional attachment to Bengal as well.”
This new plant is the first of many that Astonfield plans to build in
order to meet India’s diverse energy needs. “The need of the hour is a
mix of various sources,” says Astonfield’s President of Indian
Operations Ravinder Raina, “including thermal, oil and gas, nuclear and
renewable energy for power generation.” Over the next two years,
Astonfield intends to spend $500 million to open several new renewable
energy plants across India. “The Bankura plant is our first priority on
build schedule,” Raina continued. “We are keen to take on from there
and begin our pan India projects without delay.” Included in
Astonfield’s countrywide construction plans are a 10 MW biomass power
plant in Gangarampur, a 1 MW biogas plant in Kalyani, and a 54 MW plant
that will convert solid waste from a landfill into energy in Dhapa.
About Astonfield Renewable Resources Limited
Astonfield Renewable Resources Limited (ARRL) was created to provide
innovative energy solutions to developing countries while reducing
environmental costs. While the industrial capabilities of these
countries are expanding, ARRL works to drive alternative energy
projects which satisfy specific energy needs, but also to address
issues such as remote location, the ability to deliver fuel over
multi-decade periods, and cost. For more on ARRL, visit http://www.astonfield.com.
About Rich May
Rich May, a law firm founded in 1937 and located in the heart of
Boston’s financial district, concentrates its practice on corporate,
financial, civil litigation, energy, real estate, entertainment and
wealth planning matters. The firm’s clients include a broad group of
businesses in New England and throughout the country. Rich May provides
the breadth and depth of expertise generally associated with large,
national firms, while maintaining the prompt, personal service found in
smaller, regional firms. Our clients have direct access to experienced
attorneys who are familiar with both the client and the area of inquiry
and can provide timely and practical legal solutions.
Rich May has been elected and admitted as a member of the International
Alliance of Law Firms. This membership, which provides affiliations
with 53 firms in 37 countries, supplements our ability to assist
clients throughout North America and overseas.
For more information visit www.richmaylaw.com.
