Renewable Energy Scenario in Tamil Nadu.

This article presents an analysis of current situation of renewable energy in Tamil Nadu, India and the future of renewable energy resources in the State. In India, maximum power generation is based on the conventional energy sources such as coal and mineral oil-based power plants. They are highly polluting for the atmosphere. If new power plants are to be set up, then the import of highly volatile fossil fuels is inevitable. Though nuclear energy is a good alternative solution to reduce fossil fuel consumption, it is equally hazardous to human life. Hence, the energy world should think of judicious utilization of renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, ocean energy, biomass, and geothermal energy. The Research and Development activities carried out in India in the past three decades have shown good progress in finding feasible solution to the problem of finding new renewable energy resources. Tamil Nadu is the only state to utilize the renewable resources that is about more than one-third of its total energy production. Generally, the state has good geographic location and, hence, it has sufficient solar energy and wind energy resources. Also, state policies support utilization of renewable resources. This paper analyses current scenario of the renewable energy in Tamil Nadu while evaluating the current energy needs of the state and forecasts energy consumption and production in the future, with the aim of finding whether the state can continue its development and augment its renewable energy resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]