The State should explore the option of doubling its wind energy capacity and increase use of solar power against the expensive coal-fired power plants. A report titled ‘Electricity Transformation in India: A Case Study of Tamil Nadu’ was released at a press conference held in the city on Wednesday.
The report prepared by Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) cites the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) building 22,500 mega watt (MW) ‘expensive’ coal-fired power plants despite having a favourable atmosphere for capacity augmentation and tariff costs for renewable energy, including wind and solar power.
The report warns the State against building more coal-based power plants including 4,000-MW Cheyyur Ultra Mega Power Project, as they would be financially unviable and would remain under utilised.
Tim Buckley, Director of Energy Finance Studies Australasia, IEEFA, said despite the State being a leader in wind energy, the wind farms have aged and outdated technology. Upgrading or ‘repowering’ existing turbines could double the State’s leading wind energy capacity. The report forecasts the State could double its wind energy generation to 15 giga watt (GW) and solar capacity six-fold to 13.8 GW by 2026-27.
