If everything goes as planned by the Panchkula district administration, 7.5 megawatts of electricity will be generated through poultry droppings to light up the power-starved Barwala-Raipur Rani area in a year’s time, says Express India.

According to the news agency this is being touted as the second such unit in India after Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, where 4 MW power is being generated thus at present, the project is proposed to be executed with private participation in one of the largest poultry belts of the country. It will meet the twin objectives of curbing environmental degradation and meeting the power shortage in the area.

The proposal has been sent to the Department of Renewable Energy and the Panchkula district administration is awaiting the final nod from the Haryana government to initiate the process of calling expressions of interest for setting up the project.

The Barwala-Raipur Rani area that has a cluster of over 35 villages is known for its poultry industry. It hosts more than 135 poultry farms with 90 lakh birds which generate 250 tonnes of droppings a day.