Tamil Nadu is now a power surplus state. With handsome additions planned, this comfort will continue.
Tamil Nadu has an installed capacity of 29,000 MW. The state added new energy capacity of 13,287 MW to the grid since 2011 through commissioning of new power units under state and Central sectors and also via medium and long term power purchase agreements.
Tamil Nadu’s total installed capacity in the conventional segment is 18,747 MW including Centre’s share and power purchases as of 31 March 2018. The total installed capacity in the renewable sector was 11,113 MW, including 8150 MW of wind power.
The state’s average power demand was estimated at 14,800 MW to 15,300 MW and the maximum demand was 15,440 MW during April 2018. Chennai had an all-time high demand of 3386 MW during May 2018.
Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd (TANGEDCO) is now supplying uninterrupted power to all consumers in the state, said Vikram Kapur, Chairman, TANGEDCO.
Given the increasing demand for electricity, a massive addition to the installed generating capacity and corresponding development of transmission infrastructure have been programmed by the state government.
According to Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister P Thangamani, the state energy department is building more than 6000 MW of thermal projects, which are expected to commence generation from 2020-21. The state government has already submitted a memorandum seeking coal for six thermal projects. Total cost for these projects is pegged at over Rs 50,000 crore.
Tamil Nadu has been at the forefront of new capacity addition in the clean energy sector. The largest installed capacity of more than 11,000 MW of renewable energy has played a vital role in making Tamil Nadu an energy surplus state. Wind energy accounts for an installed capacity of more than 8000 MW, making Tamil Nadu the top wind power producer in the country.
Most suitable for solar power
In 2017-18, Tamil Nadu harnessed about 13,000 million units of wind energy and 2905 million units of solar energy saving about 5406 million tonnes of carbon emission during the period.
With around 300 clear sunny days in a year, southern Tamil Nadu is reported to be one of the most suitable areas for solar power projects.
The state had a total solar installed capacity of 2034 MW as of 31 March 2018. A considerable quantum of solar generation, in the range of 800 MW to 1200 MW, is being realised during the day time.
The state is establishing high capacity transmission lines at an estimated cost of Rs.6000 crore.
Comfortable power situation comes in handy for the state government in marketing Tamil Nadu as an effective manufacturing destination in the country. – R Seetharan
