Chennai: In a major boost to renewable energy, Tangedco and wind power industry have reached an agreement on 100 per cent absorption of wind energy after the latter agreed to compensate the utility for procuring high cost power in case of any deviation in the schedule given by them.
After setting up ‘Renewable Energy Management Centre’ with an officer from Non Conventional Energy Sources to schedule wind and solar power to enable its absorption into the grid, Tangedco has agreed to ensure 100 per cent absorption of wind generation provided the generators would compensate the utility for purchase of high cost power on a few days when wind generation takes a sudden dip and not in line with the schedule given in advance by National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) on behalf of them.
“We have accepted the condition laid down by Tangedco for full evacuation of wind energy. They (Tangedco) are exploring ways and means to implement it,” said wind industry sources. Sources said the new arrangement would be tried on a trial basis for two months – June and July and would be further continued after reviewing its functioning in August.
All wind power industry body, including Indian Wind Power Association, Tamil Nadu Spinning Mills Association and Southern India Mills Association have unanimously accepted Tangedco’s offer, sources said, adding that considering the amount likely to be compensated to the utility for purchase of power due to sudden dip in wind generation on a few days, it would be much lower compared to the revenue gain by the industry through full evacuation.
In the peak wind power season between June and September last year, Tangedco cited only four occasions when it resorted to power purchase from the market to fill the gap in generation due to sudden dips in wind generation.
Tamil Nadu has a total wind power installation of 7,600 MW which is the highest in the country. Backing down of wind generation by Tangedco was the major issue facing the industry even after it started providing forecast through NIWE last year. In 2015, wind industry sources alleged that it suffered highest ever evacuation loss of over 4,000 million units (MU) due to indiscriminate grid dropping of wind mills. Last year, Tangedco evacuated 6,108 MU during the high wind season from April to November.
In 2012, Tangedco evacuated 10,212 MU. An official of NIWE said the new arrangement would end the indiscriminate backing down of windmills. “Considering the lower efficiency of old wind mills, wind energy evacuation may go up to 4500 MW on some days,” the official said, adding that backing down could not be stopped completely as Tangedco should maintain grid stability.
