The DMK government in Tamil Nadu has ordered to stop the generation of wind power by one-third of the proportion causing dismay among wind power generators and industrialists in the state.
The DMK government’s move comes at a when the state’s power demand has been crossing 17,000 MW owing to the scorching summer. It is also worth mentioning that the state has been witnessing frequent unannounced power cuts.
The peak wind season in Tamil Nadu is from April to October. However, the state is seeing good winds blowing since March 15, a month earlier than usual. The DMK government on the other hand has ordered for the curtailing of one-third of the wind power at a time when the winds are gushing.
Industry experts have pointed out that states like Karnataka are selling their surplus green power on the exchange while it is going waste in Tamil Nadu. Reportedly, Karnataka sold its surplus green energy in the power exchange generating over ₹2,000 crore.
Wind power generators have expressed shock over the curtailment by the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) and Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO).
Mr. Venkatachalam, Chief Advisor of the Tamil Nadu Spinning Mills Associationalso noted that the even production of solar energy is being curtailed.
“May 15 being a Sunday, the air-conditioning and industrial load was less. They curtailed wind energy significantly. Last week, they took wind energy and sold it to other States. Solar energy is also being curtailed,” Mr. Illango, Director of Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumers Association (TECA), was quoted saying in a report by The Hindu.
Other industry experts have pointed out that Tamil Nadu is the only state that was dialing down on renewable energy generation.
According to a 2022-23 policy note of the Tamil Nadu Energy Department, Tamil Nadu has the highest installed wind energy capacity of 8,615.22 MW, which accounts for around 25% of the country’s wind energy capacity.
“They consider thermal energy to be their own energy. Wind energy and solar energy as somebody else’s”, K. Kasthuri Rangaian, Chairman of the Indian Wind Power Association was quoted saying in The Hindu’s report.
Shyam Sekhar, an investment professional and portfolio manager taking a jibe at the Dravidian Model said “Power producers pay by the megawatt to get connected to grid. Then they pay to avoid Govt stopping buying their power during the wind season. Then, they pay bribes to get paid for power sold to the state electricity distribution co.”
Many are also questioning the government’s move asking if the renewable energy production is being curtailed to favour BGR Energy.
Recently, it was reported that TANGEDCO has allotted 660 MW super-critical Ennore Thermal Power Station expansion project worth ₹4,442 crores to BGR Energt Systems Ltd violating all procedures.
(With inputs from Simplicity and The Hindu)
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