‘Measures needed to revive wind energy sector in Tamil Nadu’
Repowering sites with lower capacities and allowing the banking of wind energy would help the State reach its full potential, say experts
Gujarat overtook Tamil Nadu last year with the highest installed wind energy capacity. Investors and wind energy generators in Tamil Nadu are now seeking measures to revive the wind energy sector in the State.
According to data available online, Gujarat has an installed wind energy capacity of 10, 415 MW compared with 10, 124 MW in Tamil Nadu.
Of this, the installed wind energy capacity connected to the Tamil Nadu grid is 8,923.89 MW.
A.D. Thirumoorthy, a member of the State-level Renewable Energy Committee, told The Hindu that just about 300 MW was added to the existing installed wind energy capacity in Tamil Nadu last year. The State, he said, has the potential to have at least 3,000 MW of additional installed capacity.
When windmill installations began coming up in the State in the 1980s and 1990s, all the prime sites were occupied. After that, the secondary sites were lled with high eciency machinery.
Now, with most of the high wind sites occupied, there is a need to repower the sites that have lower capacities or machinery with lower eciencies. “One possible way to do this is the government should acquire such sites, repower them and sell them again,” he said.
Further, for a long time, Tamil Nadu has faced issues of delays in payments for renewable energy supplied to the grid and this has also discouraged new installations. This problem however, was sorted over the past year.
Finally, there is the problem of not permitting the banking of wind energy generated.
In an interim order dated March 11, 2024, the Madras High Court said an annual
High temperatures across Salem district over the past month, has spurred an increase in the sale and price of muskmelon.
The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted that temperatures in Tamil Nadu will be higher this year compared to previous years. According to the forecast, Salem has experienced temperatures ranging from 103 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit over the past month.
The soaring temperatures have driven people to seek relief at fruit and beverage shops. People have also preferred to stay indoors during the past few weeks.
Ocials from the Health Department emphasized that muskmelon is a nutritious fruit known for its cooling properties, making it an ideal choice to beat the summer heat. Rich in proteins, muskmelon juice is suitable for all, including diabetic patients who can consume it without added sugar.
Ocials advised using puried drinking water or RO water to make muskmelon juice and cautioned against adding ice.
S.V. Kuppusamy, a muskmelon wholesaler at Chinna Kadai Veethi, stated that the muskmelon season typically runs from February to May, with fruits sourced from Kadappa district in Andhra Pradesh. “Until last week, muskmelon was priced between ₹20 and ₹25 per kg. However, increased demand driven by rising temperatures has caused prices to surge to ₹30 per kilogram, while retail prices range from ₹35 to ₹40 per kilogram. The fruit should be sold within three days of its arrival at the market to prevent spoilage. With decreased cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, Salem Market now receives 10 metric tonnes of muskmelon daily,” Mr. Kuppusamy said. The in¤ux is expected to continue till the rst week of May, after which a di¥erent variety of muskmelon ( Jham) will arrive from Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Anthiyur, Morappur, and Villupuram districts, he noted.