Non-conventional energy production crosses 4,000 MW

Wind power peaked at 3,475 MW and 3,491 MW over the last few days. Nuclear power from the Koodankulam plant was a meagre 563 MW, officials said. 

Revealing this, official sources said, “It is heartening that wind energy has picked up now aided by solar power despite the recent rain.” Though TANGEDCO has 8470 MW installed non-conventional power capacity, it includes 7439 MW wind power (termed ‘infirm’ due to its unreliability), 142 MW solar power, 230 MW of bio mass generated power and another 659.4 MW of power from co-generation plants. 

This is in addition to 13,231.4 MW installed capacity through conventional sources including 2,288 MW hydro power, 4,660 MW thermal power, 516 MW power from gas, 959 MW from private generation plants and 4,810 MW from central power generation sites. 

“But the state government’s vision documents emphasise increased non conventional power production so as to reduce total reliability on limited conventional energy sources” officials added. 

The recent respite due to rains and with the Kathiri season coming to an end, officials feel that power distribution will even out at 12,000 MW for Tamil Nadu. This is because May 19 to 23 saw distribution peaking at 12,000 MW from 10,210 MW. Reduced day time temperatures will mean less use of ACs which consume power mostly, thereby ensuring that the state will not have to suffer any power cuts.