Tamil Nadu adds 1,000 MW solar and 200 MW wind power capacity in the past year. Industry experts highlight climate change as a major challenge for the renewable energy sector.
Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu continues to make its mark in renewable energy production, with significant additions to its solar and wind power capacities over the past year. Industry experts report that the state has added 1,000 megawatts (MW) of solar power and 200 MW of wind power infrastructure in the last 12 months, while also highlighting climate change as a growing challenge for the sector.
Renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar, play a crucial role in meeting the increasing power demand in the state. Tamil Nadu currently has an installed capacity of 6,000 MW in solar power and 10,500 MW in wind power. Industry representatives are urging both the central and state governments to focus more on developing these sectors and increase investments to further boost growth.
According to Tamil Nadu solar power producers, the state has the potential for year-round solar power generation. Currently, setting up 1 MW of solar power infrastructure requires an investment of Rs. 4 crore and can generate 1.6 million units of electricity annually. In the past year, the total solar power capacity in the state has increased from 5,000 MW to 6,000 MW, marking a 1,000 MW addition.
In the wind energy sector, establishing 1 MW of infrastructure costs about Rs. 8 crore and can produce 2.3 million units of electricity per year. Wind power installations in Tamil Nadu are limited to high-wind areas such as Kayathar, Tenkasi, Coimbatore, and Dharapuram. The industry is calling for special initiatives from both central and state governments to attract more investments in these renewable energy sectors.
The Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association reports that the wind power season in Tamil Nadu typically runs from April to October. The state's wind power infrastructure capacity has increased from 10,300 MW last year to 10,500 MW currently, with a 200 MW addition. However, they note that wind speeds this year have been lower than usual, particularly in August, which is typically a high-wind month.
From April 1 to August 20, 2023, the total wind power generation in Tamil Nadu was 6,600 million units, compared to 7,700 million units during the same period last year, showing a decrease of 1,100 million units. The industry experts emphasize that the impact of climate change has emerged as a significant challenge for the renewable energy sector.
Renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar, play a crucial role in meeting the increasing power demand in the state. Tamil Nadu currently has an installed capacity of 6,000 MW in solar power and 10,500 MW in wind power. Industry representatives are urging both the central and state governments to focus more on developing these sectors and increase investments to further boost growth.
According to Tamil Nadu solar power producers, the state has the potential for year-round solar power generation. Currently, setting up 1 MW of solar power infrastructure requires an investment of Rs. 4 crore and can generate 1.6 million units of electricity annually. In the past year, the total solar power capacity in the state has increased from 5,000 MW to 6,000 MW, marking a 1,000 MW addition.
In the wind energy sector, establishing 1 MW of infrastructure costs about Rs. 8 crore and can produce 2.3 million units of electricity per year. Wind power installations in Tamil Nadu are limited to high-wind areas such as Kayathar, Tenkasi, Coimbatore, and Dharapuram. The industry is calling for special initiatives from both central and state governments to attract more investments in these renewable energy sectors.
The Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association reports that the wind power season in Tamil Nadu typically runs from April to October. The state's wind power infrastructure capacity has increased from 10,300 MW last year to 10,500 MW currently, with a 200 MW addition. However, they note that wind speeds this year have been lower than usual, particularly in August, which is typically a high-wind month.
From April 1 to August 20, 2023, the total wind power generation in Tamil Nadu was 6,600 million units, compared to 7,700 million units during the same period last year, showing a decrease of 1,100 million units. The industry experts emphasize that the impact of climate change has emerged as a significant challenge for the renewable energy sector.