CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu is going green in power generation as nearly 30 to 35 per cent of power supplied to the State is generated from renewable energy sources like wind and sun, according to Tamil Nadu energy secretary Vikram Kapur.
Addressing the 16th edition of Green Power, organised by Confederation of Indian Industry here on Tuesday, Kapur said against the installed capacity of 29,000 MW of power generated, 10,500 MW was from renewable energy.
This also includes 7,800 MW from wind energy and 1,700 MW from solar with rest coming from biomass and bagasse cogeneration.
He said the State is planning to add 4,500 MW of wind power and 5,000 MW of solar power. A 500 MW solar power park is now being planned by Tangedco, he said. Kapur said the total demand of power in the State was 13,500 to 14,000 MW.
He lamented the issue of grid stability when more wind or solar power is evacuated. “A research on this front is required wherein more power can be infused without affecting the grid stability,” he said. He also stressed the need to augment transmission capacity.
Kapur also said that Tangedco is set to break even after suffering huge losses, although cash flow is an area of concern.
Talking about the delay in implementing roof top solar installations, the secretary said there was an issue of Net metering and pricing.
“The regulator has to fix the prices. Once it is done, then the policy will be implemented,” he said.
Ramesh Kymal, chairman of renewable energy council, Confederation of Indian Industry, said steep reduction in tariffs due to increased competition in solar sector has cut the tariffs by more than 40 per cent over the last 18 months.
He also said capacity addition to financial year 2017-18 looks extremely difficult due to stand off in signing of power purchase agreements in several states at Feed-in-tariff (FIT) scheme rates determined by respective commissions with valid control periods.