Wind blows off power cut for a day

CHENNAI: In a welcome relief from the sweltering heat, there was no power cut in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. The bumper wind generation of upto 2,000 MW saved the day for both the consumers and the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO).According to electricity authorities, the grid on Tuesday received about 2,000 MW power which facilitated lifting the scheduled load shedding in almost all parts of Tamil Nadu. In a bonus, the EB also got surplus power of about 1,000 MW due to non-consumption from industries, May Day being a holiday. Hence, the entire demand of 9,000 MW was met. Speaking to Express, Indian Wind Power Association chairman K Kasturirangan said wind generation has been on the upswing. On Monday, the wind generation was 2,300 MW, preceded by 1,570 MW and 1,100 MW over the previous days. “Last year, gusty winds began by April 20 but this year it was a little late. From April 28, we usually see good winds upping production,” he said. Expressing satisfaction that the TANGEDCO authorities had been utilising the entire production, the official said the arrangement should hopefully continue. The windy season is expected to continue till the first week of October. Also, the operationalisation of several new power generation projects including the first unit of the Koodankulam Plant, and the 1,500 MW Vallur Power Station are expected to significanlty cut down power cuts in the State very soon.  The first unit (1 x 500 MW) of the TNEB Limited-NTPC joint venture thermal power station at Vallur is expected to go ahead well before the first week of July. The test run of the first unit had been completed successfully. The major task of providing a multi-circuit overhead line (400KV) linking the plant with the Nellore-Alamathy-Sriperumbudur 400 KV double circuit transmission line was also completed last year. The second unit is likely to go operational soon after the first unit. This project is expected to bring much needed relief to power-starved Tamil Nadu which is facing a deficit of 3,500 MW.