Chennai, Sep 7: Tamil Nadu has recorded a 3.31 per cent rise in wind power generation during the first five months of the current financial year, despite a weak start to the wind season.
According to data from the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Ltd, the state generated 10,446 million units of wind power between April 1 and August 31, compared with 10,112 million units during the same period last year.
Wind power generation remained weak during the first three months of the financial year. Output fell by 7.8 per cent in April, 27.2 per cent in May and 22.2 per cent in June. Together, these three months produced 3,601.4 million units, against 4,658.2 million units during the same period last year.
The situation changed sharply in July as stronger winds pushed generation to 3,401 million units, up from 3,045 million units in July last year. This marked an increase of around 11 per cent.
August saw an even stronger performance. Wind power generation reached 3,444 million units, nearly 43 per cent higher than the 2,408 million units recorded in August last year.
Wind farms generated more than 100 million units on several days in July, while production remained strong through most of August. Daily generation reached a record 142.430 million units in August, surpassing the previous August high of 123.8 million units.
Together, July and August produced 6,845 million units of wind power, 25.5 per cent higher than the 5,453 million units generated during the same two months last year. The strong performance during these two months helped offset the decline seen earlier in the financial year.
The rise in wind generation is important for Tamil Nadu as the state continues to increase its use of renewable energy. Strong wind power output can help reduce dependence on conventional power sources and support a cleaner electricity mix.
Renewable energy companies are also calling for policies that make it easier to add new wind and solar capacity in the state. Industry players have suggested that renewable projects should not face unnecessary delays while a separate policy for battery energy storage systems is being finalised.
A clear policy framework for renewable energy and storage could help Tamil Nadu add more clean power capacity, improve the use of its electricity network and make better use of the state’s strong wind and solar potential.
The latest figures show that after a slow beginning, Tamil Nadu’s wind energy sector has gained strong momentum. Sustaining this growth could help the state strengthen its renewable energy base and move closer to its long-term clean energy goals.