HC summons TN power secy, TANGEDCO chief to explain power

The Madras High Court Thursday took serious note of the allegations of backing down power generated through windmills by TANGEDCO and directed the Tamil Nadu power secretary and the corporation's chairman to appear before it and explain the power position in the state.

Justice Kirubakaran passed the order on a petition by Tamil Nadu Spinning Mills Association based in Dindigul alleging that Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) was backing down wind energy deliberately.

Secretary of Energy Department Mohamed Nasimuddin and Chairman of TANGEDCO, Vikram Kapur were directed to appear before the court on September 28 and explain as to whether there was any shortage of electricity, shortage of coal in thermal power stations in the state.

The court also sought to know the steps taken to improve the storage of coal and why wind energy was not fully put to use by the state power utility.

"Electricity has become very essential and without power supply, even human life cannot be led and no one can think of life without electricity even for 10 minutes.

When such is the position, the government should have been careful enough to see that all precautionary steps have been taken to ensure that the power supply is not interrupted and sufficient power supply is given to the citizens," the judge observed.

During the hearing, the petitioner submitted that the interim order passed on July 8, 2015 prohibited the TANGEDCO from backing down wind mill energy.

Inspite of the order, the entire wind energy produced has not been infused into the Tamil Nadu grid continuously, he alleged.

He further said the thermal energy which is the least in the priority list is given preference over wind energy for unknown reasons.

Denying the allegations, the state government submitted that there was no backing down and if at all any, it was only due to unavoidable circumstances, taking the grid safety into consideration.