Coimbatore has seen renewed calls for Tamil Nadu to increase wind power generation and introduce policy changes to address the state’s recent, unannounced power cuts. State Electricity Minister Nirmal Kumar said the shortage was linked to a dip in wind generation.
Tamil Nadu has long been a major wind-power producer, with stakeholders noting that the state earlier accounted for a large share of India’s wind electricity, though Gujarat has now moved ahead. The state currently has about 12,500 MW of installed wind capacity. Output varies sharply—rising to around 14 crore units a day during strong wind periods and dropping to about 50 lakh units a day when winds are weak.
Ilango, vice-president of the All India Wind Power Producers Association, said wind conditions during the southwest monsoon were strong from May to September last year, but this year they began only in June and weakened by mid-September. He said daily generation that crossed 10 crore units for over 40 days this season has fallen in the past week to about 1.9 crore units.
Industry representatives urged the government to replace older turbines with newer ones to boost output, simplify procedures for new projects, and speed up no-objection certificates and approvals. They also pointed to the state’s emerging plan to add solar and battery storage at wind sites under a hybrid model, saying such combinations could help ensure steadier year-round generation.
Stakeholders also flagged inadequate transmission infrastructure to move wind power from generation hubs—about half of the state’s windmills are in the Coimbatore region, with the rest in southern districts. Former association president Kasturi Rangaian called for faster clearances, dedicated wind and solar zones with incentives, and improved financing support. Renewable energy adviser Venkatachalam said demand has risen sharply—citing usage of about 16,000 MW in August–September 2025 and around 21,000 MW this year due to heat—adding that wind generation is expected to stabilise after the 23rd, based on weather assessments.
