Electricity consumers call for policies to encourage renewable energy generation in Tamil Nadu

With Tamil Nadu witnessing almost 7% annual increase in electricity demand, it is imperative for the State to have forward-thinking policies and ensure sustainable and reliable power supply to the consumers, said Pradeep Natarajan, president of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumers’ Association (TECA).

As per the March 2024 status, Tamil Nadu’s renewable energy generation was 20,724 MW compared with 18,288 MW the previous year. Of the increase, solar power contribution is 1956 MW and wind energy is 276 MW. The total capacity of Tamil Nadu including thermal, atomic and renewable energy is 36,563 MW.

The State is uniquely positioned to seize a commanding leadership role in the green energy space, leveraging its inherent strengths in renewable energy and aligning with national goals to set a benchmark for other States, he said.

Easing solar rooftop networking charges by simplifying and reducing these charges will incentivise greater adoption of rooftop solar systems across industries, institutions, and households. With long-term banking options for both, solar and wind energy producers, there will be better integration of renewables into the grid.

With battery energy storage set to play a pivotal role in grid stability, Tamil Nadu should encourage investments in advanced storage solutions, such as battery systems and pumped hydro storage, to effectively manage peak-hour demands, he said.

“We believe that proactive initiatives in these areas will unlock the vast potential of renewable energy in Tamil Nadu, create employment opportunities, and contribute significantly to reducing the state’s carbon footprint,” he said.

eom/msp

Published - November 29, 2024 11:08 pm IST