State’s renewable energy production peaks this summer

Renewable energy production in the state has crossed 50%, with April witnessing a peak of 52%. Renewable energy, also known as non-conventional energy, includes wind, solar, hydro, and cogeneration. Tangedco has achieved historic levels of renewable energy production this year.

A senior Tangedco official, talking about the various types of power generated in the state, said that Tamil Nadu witnessed several peaks in power demand as well as daily consumption during March, April and May this year. The highest power demand was recorded on May 2 at 20,830 megawatts (MW) and the highest consumption in a day was 454 million units (MU).

The state-owned power utility generated a total of 24,530 MU of renewable energy in March, April, May and June compared with the total production of 48,835 MU, which is an average share of 50% renewable energy.

A senior electricity official said that out of the total generation capacity of 34,700 MW in the state, generation capacity from renewable sources is 18,300 MW, including hydropower (2,300 MW), wind (8,750 MW), solar (6,550 MW) and cogeneration (700 MW).

Even as the power demand in the state crossed the 20,500 MW mark, touching 20,700 MW, with the city recording 4,380 MW on April 30, the same month saw the highest renewable energy generation of 6,900 MU out of the total generation of 12,960 MU. In March, the state also recorded renewable energy generation of 6,360 MU out of the total generation of 12,680 MU.

An electricity authority official said the state normally relies heavily on thermal energy, but wind and solar generation has peaked this year and contributed significantly to the state’s energy needs.