Wind power producers accuse Tangedco of curtailing generation despite HC order

Tamil Nadu tops the country with the highest wind power installation capacity of 8468 MW. During the high-wind season from June to September, the wind mills contributing an average of 80 million units and accounting for nearly 25 per cent of daily energy consumption. On several days this year, the wind generation has crossed 5000 megawatt mark.

“Given the nature’s bounty during this high wind season, wind energy could easily contribute a lot more each day. We believe, it could contribute in excess of 100 million units. Regrettably, we find that on average, 15 per cent of wind energy is being curtailed every day. In some cases, the back down is for as long as four to six hours a day,” said Indian Wind Power Association in a representation to Vikram Kapur, Chairman and Managing Director, Tangedco.

The curtailment of the wind power generation has come at a time when the Tangedco has kept payment arrears to the wind energy producers for almost 23 months. “When the wind power generators are reeling under severe financial stress, the Tangedco has resorted to grid drop of the wind mills. This will impact the financial of the companies. If the Tangedco continues curtail wind power generation, the State will not get any new investment on wind sector,” a wind power generator said.

Wind Energy Forum said, in Tamil Nadu windy season is from May to September, when 75% of wind energy is generated in this period. “But 30-40 per cent wind energy is not evacuated by TNEB, thereby making a huge loss to generators. Curtailment of wind energy continues in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, despite interim orders of HCs not to back it down. System Operators (SLDC) get away with excuses of faulty forecasting & grid safety. The centre needs to look into it,” they tweeted.

A senior official of Tangedco said that they had resorted to backing down the wind mills only when the power demand drops drastically. “We had kept our thermal power stations on standby to accommodate the generation from wind mills during the wind season. Grid dropping of wind mills are done as a last resort to ensure the grid stability,” the official explained.