Erratic wind pattern in the last few days and the lull in southwest monsoon are turning out to be matters of concern to power managers. For a couple of days this week, wind energy generation dropped from about 2,500 megawatt (MW) to 700 MW. This has led to short durations of unscheduled load shedding in several parts of the State in addition to the scheduled two hours load shedding daily.
On August 11 and 12, the wind power generation was 700-800 MW in the morning hours (5.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and about 1,700 MW after 9 p.m.
The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) was purchasing 1,100 MW to 1,300 MW on a regular basis from the market. Since the drop in wind energy generation was unexpected, the Board was unable to buy the additional requirement of about 1000 MW from the market, according to a senior official. Last year, the State was in a better position because of higher rainfall, the official said. The energy demand in the State was close to 11,000 MW. On some days, wind energy generation went up to even 2,700 MW.
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The Board purchased the additional requirement from the market only when it dropped to 700 MW to 800 MW. The wind pattern started stabilising from Friday. K. Kasthurirangaian, Chairman of the Indian Wind Power Association said the wind energy generation in the State so far this year was about 10 per cent less than that of last year.