"India's southern state of Tamil Nadu is poised to become a global leader in wind power. But first, the state must overcome its addiction to coal" - Nityanand Jayaraman
According to the recently released Report by US-based Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, Tamil Nadu is expected to become a Global Leader in Clean energy by making use of "zero emission' technology to generate power for the state by the year of 2027. Especially Solar and Wind energy.
The report also estimates that Tamil Nadu will double the capacity of its energy production. At present Tamil Nadu generates about 7.85 gigawatts (GW) of Wind power, which is compared to that of countries like Sweden or Denmark, it is significantly higher. Solar power generated in the state may also get an increase of about 6 times to reach 13.5 gigawatts (GW).If these estimates can be realized within the next decade, Tamil Nadu will be a state which meets 67% of its energy demands through clean and renewable energy resources. It will also benefit the state to overcome its present debt-ridden utility.
If Tamil Nadu is ever going to realize such a possibility in the future, the state has to give significant emphasis in transforming its power sector.
Tamil Nadu has a per capita GDP which is on par with that of Sri Lanka and Ukraine. When compared to the population of Australia, Tamil Nadu is 3 times ahead of it. By exploiting the possibilities in the clean energy sector, Tamil Nadu can be a textbook example of how emerging economies can grow while cutting down the Carbon emissions.
If Tamil Nadu is going to have a consistent GDP of about 7% for the next decade, it is possible that a huge part of its growth will be fueled by the renewables. The competition regarding the cost of production with established energy sources such as coal has been discouraging factor for dependence on renewable energy production. But looking at the recent times, we can see there is a drop in the installation and operation cost of wind and solar power plants, which became low enough to compete with the non-renewable alternative.
But now we have to understand that the reality is not on par with the possibilities. The US-based report also says that even if Tamil Nadu does not need nonrenewable energy production, but the projects in that sector are financially fraught.
The energy produced from new coal or nuclear power plants are going to cost twice as higher to that of solar or wind energy. But, despite the bleak financial prospects, Tamil Nadu currently has 22.5GW of coal power plants in the pipeline. When we look at the financial volatility of these projects, it seems bleak in nature. But Tamil Nadu at present produces about 22.5 gigawatts (GW) of power from coal power plants. So Tamil Nadu's capacity to invest in cleaner or better alternatives might get a hit while in pursuit of these ventures.
When we take a closer look, we will also find further challenges. Wind energy production is only viable and can only reach its peak productions level in the months between May and October. But Tamil Nadu lacks proper infrastructure, or let's say power grid in order to manage such peak production level and transfer this energy to nearby states. So such a lack of infrastructure will force the state to reduce its power generation from other sources.
It is also clear that due to this challenge, Tamil Nadu is unable to import comparatively cheaper power from nearby states during the other seven months where wind production is not at its peak levels. Bringing development in power infrastructure may address these issues in the coming years, but still, there may not be a guarantee that the improvements can cope with the higher levels of power generation. Because we know that Wind power generation varies according to the season. So Tamil Nadu has to make sure that they build a smart power grid network, which can manage such variations with significant supply and management mechanism which is capable of adjusting itself to the demand.
Looking further, we already know the major problem faced by the State is water. While the world is fighting with climate change, and on other hands, we ourselves are polluting and exploiting the only available water sources like rivers, ponds, lakes, ponds, and groundwater. Tamil Nadu may have to struggle a little in the coming decades of higher water demand. According to a recent Report from Central Ground Water Board of India, we can learn that almost 60% of the groundwater resources are confirmed as overexploited, critical or semi-critical.
It was in April 2017, we saw the Tamil Nadu farmers using extraordinary means to stage a protest in Delhi. They were forced to follow such methods in order to point out the intensity of draught they face in the state.
In Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, there was a protest against a solar power plant in June 2017. Ramanathapuram is a dry and parched land. But in order to clean 2,50,00 solar panels and modules, the agency was found to be using 2,00,000 of valuable water taken from bore wells, which means over-exploitation of groundwater resources. In order to prevent such issues, the government must make sure there is efficient evaluation mechanism before sanctioning such power generation plants in places with water scarcity and periodic droughts.
According to the report, Tamil Nadu will have standard solar power plants installed which will generate 10.3 gigawatts (GW) and rooftop installations which gives 2 gigawatts (GW) of power over next decade. Considering the factors such the demand for power and availability of sunlight are decentralized, promoting installations of rooftop solar panels seems to be a much better option rather than building expensive solar power farms.
The US-based report shows a possible direction through which Tamil Nadu can bring a sustainable future for its people. In terms of finance and environment, it is essential for the state to follow this path. Simply switching from non-renewable to renewable power is not enough for a sustainable and secure future. Because the actual challenge for us is not to divert growth from carbon emissions, but to ensure that the wellbeings of our people and their progress move along with growth.
According to the recently released Report by US-based Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, Tamil Nadu is expected to become a Global Leader in Clean energy by making use of "zero emission' technology to generate power for the state by the year of 2027. Especially Solar and Wind energy.
The report also estimates that Tamil Nadu will double the capacity of its energy production. At present Tamil Nadu generates about 7.85 gigawatts (GW) of Wind power, which is compared to that of countries like Sweden or Denmark, it is significantly higher. Solar power generated in the state may also get an increase of about 6 times to reach 13.5 gigawatts (GW).If these estimates can be realized within the next decade, Tamil Nadu will be a state which meets 67% of its energy demands through clean and renewable energy resources. It will also benefit the state to overcome its present debt-ridden utility.
If Tamil Nadu is ever going to realize such a possibility in the future, the state has to give significant emphasis in transforming its power sector.
Tamil Nadu has a per capita GDP which is on par with that of Sri Lanka and Ukraine. When compared to the population of Australia, Tamil Nadu is 3 times ahead of it. By exploiting the possibilities in the clean energy sector, Tamil Nadu can be a textbook example of how emerging economies can grow while cutting down the Carbon emissions.
If Tamil Nadu is going to have a consistent GDP of about 7% for the next decade, it is possible that a huge part of its growth will be fueled by the renewables. The competition regarding the cost of production with established energy sources such as coal has been discouraging factor for dependence on renewable energy production. But looking at the recent times, we can see there is a drop in the installation and operation cost of wind and solar power plants, which became low enough to compete with the non-renewable alternative.
Challenges to be faced
But now we have to understand that the reality is not on par with the possibilities. The US-based report also says that even if Tamil Nadu does not need nonrenewable energy production, but the projects in that sector are financially fraught.
The energy produced from new coal or nuclear power plants are going to cost twice as higher to that of solar or wind energy. But, despite the bleak financial prospects, Tamil Nadu currently has 22.5GW of coal power plants in the pipeline. When we look at the financial volatility of these projects, it seems bleak in nature. But Tamil Nadu at present produces about 22.5 gigawatts (GW) of power from coal power plants. So Tamil Nadu's capacity to invest in cleaner or better alternatives might get a hit while in pursuit of these ventures.
When we take a closer look, we will also find further challenges. Wind energy production is only viable and can only reach its peak productions level in the months between May and October. But Tamil Nadu lacks proper infrastructure, or let's say power grid in order to manage such peak production level and transfer this energy to nearby states. So such a lack of infrastructure will force the state to reduce its power generation from other sources.
It is also clear that due to this challenge, Tamil Nadu is unable to import comparatively cheaper power from nearby states during the other seven months where wind production is not at its peak levels. Bringing development in power infrastructure may address these issues in the coming years, but still, there may not be a guarantee that the improvements can cope with the higher levels of power generation. Because we know that Wind power generation varies according to the season. So Tamil Nadu has to make sure that they build a smart power grid network, which can manage such variations with significant supply and management mechanism which is capable of adjusting itself to the demand.
Looking further, we already know the major problem faced by the State is water. While the world is fighting with climate change, and on other hands, we ourselves are polluting and exploiting the only available water sources like rivers, ponds, lakes, ponds, and groundwater. Tamil Nadu may have to struggle a little in the coming decades of higher water demand. According to a recent Report from Central Ground Water Board of India, we can learn that almost 60% of the groundwater resources are confirmed as overexploited, critical or semi-critical.
It was in April 2017, we saw the Tamil Nadu farmers using extraordinary means to stage a protest in Delhi. They were forced to follow such methods in order to point out the intensity of draught they face in the state.
In Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, there was a protest against a solar power plant in June 2017. Ramanathapuram is a dry and parched land. But in order to clean 2,50,00 solar panels and modules, the agency was found to be using 2,00,000 of valuable water taken from bore wells, which means over-exploitation of groundwater resources. In order to prevent such issues, the government must make sure there is efficient evaluation mechanism before sanctioning such power generation plants in places with water scarcity and periodic droughts.
Looking to the future
According to the report, Tamil Nadu will have standard solar power plants installed which will generate 10.3 gigawatts (GW) and rooftop installations which gives 2 gigawatts (GW) of power over next decade. Considering the factors such the demand for power and availability of sunlight are decentralized, promoting installations of rooftop solar panels seems to be a much better option rather than building expensive solar power farms.
The US-based report shows a possible direction through which Tamil Nadu can bring a sustainable future for its people. In terms of finance and environment, it is essential for the state to follow this path. Simply switching from non-renewable to renewable power is not enough for a sustainable and secure future. Because the actual challenge for us is not to divert growth from carbon emissions, but to ensure that the wellbeings of our people and their progress move along with growth.
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