Buoyed by a good monsoon and availability of transmission network, the availability of wind energy in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has got 1 GW of surplus wind energy this season.
The state government of Tamil Nadu has asked the central government to allow it to sell this surplus 1 GW wind energy capacity to other states across the country. Tamil Nadu wants transmission networks free for easier supply of wind power to states around the country.
Tamil Nadu, which has the largest installed wind energy capacity in the country, witnesses a huge jump in wind energy generation during the monsoon season of June to September. The state government is looking to take advantage of the fact that several utilities across the country are struggling to meet their renewable purchase obligation despite increasing pressure from the central government to do so.
Sale of wind power will also be huge revenue earner for the state government whose power utility Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) has huge debt. The state is reportedly able to generate more wind power as developers have easy access to enhanced transmission capacity.
A dedicated transmission line that will allow Tamil Nadu to easily export wind power to other states is under development. The state government has urged the centre to expedite work on that project.
