TNERC to spell out new wind energy tariffs soon: Official

Coimbatore, Mar 15 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) will soon come out with reasonable tariff for the purchase of wind power in the state, a top official today said.

Speaking to newspersons here, TNERC Member B Jayaraman said the commission had fixed a tariff of Rs 2.70 a unit for wind power during 2002 and the Tamil Nadu Wind Power Association was demanding a hike in tariff.

The TNERC had met several times and after a few more sittings, it would announce the new tariffs.

With Tamil Nadu being one of the major wind energy producers, the other states were keenly watching the tariffs.

Earlier addressing a seminar on 'Wind Power Evacuation Solutions' Mr Jayaraman said Tamil Nadu stood first producing 2,400 MW of wind power, representing 60 per cent of the wind energy produced in the country.

Maharashtra came second with 500 MW. The pole position of Tamil Nadu was possible due to continued encouragement from the state government.

The estimated wind energy potential in India was about 45,000 MW.

With the anticipated demand in 2012 set to rise to 2.40 lakh MW, wind energy had immense potential he added.

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