Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)'s Green Power 2008 in Chennai today, he said the Centre had invited workers' union for talks on June 13. The issue would be resolved the same day, the minister added.

The strike has affected 70 per cent of the production in NLC. Till the strike began early this month, the state government was buying 1,200 Mw every day from the company, which has dropped to 300 Mw. Shortage for now is being made good by windmills in the state, he said. An estimated 12,000 temporary workers have gone on strike seeking regularisation of their jobs.

The minister noted that 5,500 Mw electricity is produced through through wind -- 1,650 Mw in the Palghat Pass in Coimbatore district, 1,300 Mw in the Shengottai Pass in Tirunelveli district, 2,100 Mw in the Arevaymozhi Pass in Kanyakumari district and 450 Mw in other areas.

The total installed capacity of windmills in the state, including 19 Mw under the public sector, stood at 3,475 Mw (7,349 machines) as on March 31, 2007. This year, 263Mw was added on February 29.

The total units generated from wind was 20,682 million units as on March 31, 2007, while in 2006-07, this was 5,269 million units, which is 8.5 per cent of the state's grid consumption.

The Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA), with the funding assistance from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the state government, has identified 41 potential sites for wind power projects in eight districts in the state.