TN to add 1,000 mw wind power despite infra woes

Tamil Nadu, despite evacuation infrastructure woes, is expected to see yet another record year in terms of wind energy capacity addition of about 1,000 mw in the this financial year. The State's total wind power installed capacity has crossed 7,000 mw in June, accounting for 40 per cent of country's total wind power capacity.

Rajeev Ranjan, chairman of the State Electricity Generation, Distribution and Transmission Corporation said that the total installed wind power capacity as on June 30 was 7,055 mw, contributing to 40 per cent of country's total wind capacity.

During 2011-12, the state added an all time high capacity addition of 1,083 mw and the state is expecting wind capacity addition to a tune of 1,000 mw by the end of this financial year.

Tamil Nadu, leader in harnessing wind power, continues to add new capacity despite surpassing the potential capacity. About 6,000 mw of new capacity is being expected during the 12th plan period. During FY12, 9,763 million units of wind power were fed into the grid, accounting for about 13 per cent of the energy fed.

In 2010-11, 8,720 million units fed into the grid with a share of 12 per cent. All time high of 3,960 mw of wind power was contributed on July 4. Though wind power generation is inconsistent, it has been providing significant relief to Tamil Nadu to meet the power shortfall in the state.