By IANS,
Chennai : Wind power generators in Tamil Nadu and manufacturers of wind turbines Sunday requested the state government to extend to them a payment guarantee mechanism promised to solar power generators.
“We do not have any quarrel with the solar energy sector. We request the state government to treat wind power generators on equal footing with the solar power developers,” K. Kasturirangaian, national president, Indian Wind Power Association told IANS.
The Tamil Nadu government, in its Solar Energy Policy 2012, had announced it would generate 1,000 MW by 2013 and 3,000 MW of solar power by 2015.
The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company Ltd (TANGEDCO) Friday assured solar power developers of payment in the form of a letter of credit.
TANGEDCO also said there would be a five percent escalation clause in the solar power purchase agreement for the first 10 years.
Kasturirangaian said TANGEDCO owed around Rs.3,500 crore to wind energy developers.
“The state government should not give a step motherly treatment to the wind power generators,” an industry official told IANS on the condition of anonymity.
The installed wind energy capacity in Tamil Nadu is 6,970 MW and an addition of 6,000 MW is anticipated during 2012-17. During 2011-12, around 12.6 percent of the total state’s power consumption was catered by wind power, the government said.
“Wind is also part of the renewable energy group. The state government should extend the benefits to the wind power sector that it offers the solar energy producers,” D.V. Giri, secretary general, Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association told IANS.