Wind energy, which has picked up in the last few days, is expected to go up steeply in the coming days, thanks to the formation of a cyclonic storm over the Bay.

Since Wednesday, the average generation of wind power is on the rise. On Thursday, at about 9 p.m., it was as high as 3,106 megawatt (MW). At about 7 p.m. on Saturday, it touched 3,100 MW. The maximum production can go as high as 3,500 MW.

While these figures of wind power production pertain to the given periods of the day, the State, on an average, gets an assured quantum of 2,500 MW during the season of wind energy (May-September)

Normally, the production of wind energy is more perceptible by the third week of May. This year, the season appears to have begun a week earlier due to the presence of a cyclonic system.

Y.E. A. Raj, Deputy Director General of Meteorology, says that when the system moves north-westwards initially, this will lead to higher wind power production.

The immediate impact of the rise in wind power was the consequent rise in energy consumption of the State. On Thursday and Friday, the daily energy consumption varied between 257 million units (MU) and 258 MU. On Wednesday, the consumption was 253 MU. In contrast, on Monday, when wind energy generation was just four MU.

Also, the duration of load shedding saw a fall. On Saturday, load shedding was lifted by 3-15 p.m., an official says. The 10 hour load shedding in many parts of the State could go down to four to five hours now.

Terming it too early to say on the likely scenario of load shedding in the rest of the month for the State, the official responds that it is for the top brass of the administration to decide.

However, it is open knowledge that any decision regarding lifting two-hour load shedding in Chennai or reducing further the duration in other parts will be taken only after studying the pattern of wind power production.

Apart from wind energy , the addition of 1,000 MW through the first unit of Vallur thermal power station and additional units at North Chennai and Mettur thermal power stations has also come handy, the official adds.

Still, the shortfall in demand is around 3,000 MW which can be met through wind power to a large extent. As wind power generation occurs normally for 12 hours beginning from noon, the load shedding is expected to continue during morning peak hours. The average quantum of load shedding is 1,500 MW, officials say.