Wind energy also contributes to electricity needs

Thoothukudi has become the focus area to establish windmills

Now, wind energy has also started contributing to electricity needs. Wind energy has increased during the current monsoon season.

Tirunelveli region, comprising Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari and Ramanathapuram, generated 1,585 MW of wind power on Sunday, and 1,569 MW on Friday.

With the presence of 23 wind power substations and 41 substations of the distribution system under this region, 6,299 windmills with a capacity of 4008.45 MW were being made operational, sources told

The Hindu here on Sunday.

Tamil Nadu stood first in the country in terms of wind power generation with an average record of 7,000 MW annually.

Normally, the seasonal winds would start blowing in May and would continue even till September. Even during December, 1000 MW of wind power was generated.

Under the non-conventional energy sources in this region, Tirunelveli district would normally contribute much in terms of generation through 5,497 windmills with its capacity of 3,641.500 MW.

Thoothukudi district had the presence of 348 windmills designed with a capacity to produce 245.985 MW, the sources said.

Wind energy was largely derived between Aralvaimozhi and Aryankavu along the Western Ghats.

Focus on Thoothukudi

Since Tirunelveli district was saturated with more windmill farms, neighbouring Thoothukudi district had become the focus area to establish windmills.

A new wind power substation would be set up at Thennampatti near Kadambur and 50 acres had also been acquired for the purpose.

A 400 kilo-volt substation at Kannarpatti was almost complete and is expected to be commissioned by August.

At Kayathar, a 400 kilovolt substation was set up two years ago, sources added.