The Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (Teda) is looking at enhancing wind-based power generation in the state.
For this, Teda is planning to set up wind farms at offshore and along the coast line.
TN has already achieved 4,889 Mw of wind energy in March of the estimated around 5,000 Mw. According to R Christodas Gandhi, principal secretary, Teda, the state has 41 sites where wind farms can be set up. Of this, 26 have been exhausted.
Deepak Gupta, secretary for Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, said for the next five years, Tamil Nadu was likely to add 500 Mw of wind power every year. He was speaking at a conference on ‘Mainstreaming Green Energy’, organised by Assocham and the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday.
This apart, the state also has the potential to generate power through waste. “Salem and Namakkal alone can produce 150 Mw by using waste,” said Gupta.
Gandhi said solar energy also offered exciting opportunities. “The only factor is cost. Unless it is below Rs 10 crore — for setting up a one Mw solar power plant, investors will shy away from solar energy,” he said.