TN floats tenders to set up battery systems to store renewable energy

Storing surplus will minimise private power purchase, which stands at ₹60,000 cr annually

- S GURUVANMIKANATHAN @Chennai

IN a major push towards efficient utilisation of power, especially power generated through renewable sources, the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) on Friday floated global e-tenders to set up clusters of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with combined capacity of 500 MW and 1,000 MW in the state.

This is the first time the state is planning such facilities, which is expected to help significantly in reducing its reliance on private power purchase to meet demand during peak hours.

Annually, the utility spends nearly ₹60,000 crore on private power purchase. Presently, the surplus power generated by solar and wind facilities goes unutilised if the power utilities are unable to evacuate the power at the right time.