High Tension (HT) electricity consumers, commercial and industrial, in the State are having a relief from power cut, except during the peak hours (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.), since August 14. This was expected to benefit not only the industries but also the wind energy sector in the State.
The wind mill investors expected the relief from power cut to increase the demand for energy and thus improve evacuation of wind energy in the State.
However, the wind mills continue to be shut down for eight hours to 11 hours a day, say sources in the wind energy sector.
According to data available on the website of the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation, wind energy generation in the State on August 14 evening was 2,034 MW and on August 15 evening it was 1,407 MW. The wind mill owners have been appealing to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) improvement in evacuation as it is the peak wind season in the State. Some of the wind mills owners have approached the Madras High Court seeking ban on backing down of the wind mills.
Tamil Nadu has the largest installed capacity of wind energy in the country with nearly 7,100 MW. The Union Government recently finalised the details for the Generation-based Incentive scheme to encourage investments in the sector. \Though investments had dropped last year, it was expected to pick up now as the incentive scheme has been re-introduced. The wind mill owners get Rs. 2.70 to Rs. 3.50 a unit for the wind energy supplied to the grid in the State. Many have gone in for wind mills for captive use.
The sources say that since the wind season ends by September-October, the Tangedco should improve the evacuation from wind mills immediately.
