When my friend and former colleague Seb called me a few days ago, he told me that he was planning to go to his home town in Thrissur on Friday.
I said my wife and I too were also planning to go to Kerala, in our car, but the next day. I suggested, "Why don't you come along with us?"
He said he would be glad to join us, and postponed his trip by day and came long with us yesterday.
In fact, only a few months ago, we had thought of driving to Kerala together some day. And by a pleasant coincidence it happened yesterday.
We started around 5.15 am, and we reached our destinations, Thrissur and Guruvayur, by around 5.30 pm.
Wind turbine blades
On the way, we could see many long lorries transporting wind turbine blades. It's in fact a very common sight on the way. I am told we can see several of them on highways in Karnataka as well.
Below is a video of one of those long lorries transporting a wind turbine blade.
These blades are very long. They could range anywhere from around 50 metres to 100 metres depending the type of technology used and on whether they are onshore or offshore.
Both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are leading players in wind power generation.
Tamil Nadu is the second-largest wind power producer in India with an installed wind capacity of 11,739.91 MW. It was previously the leader until overtaken by Gujarat, but remains the top performer in southern India.
Karnataka emerged as the leader in wind power capacity addition in 2024-25, adding 1,331.48 MW to reach a total of 7,351 MW. This is the highest single-year growth and the State is one among the top wind energy producers in the country.
It is natural for coastal states to generate electricity through wind power.especially for states without facility for hydro power generation.it is good that Southern states are competing with each other in this area
ReplyDeleteHi KP - Yes, wind power is one of those clean energy options, and it's nice that states are looking in this direction seriously.
DeleteDuring a trip to northern Indiana in the USA my husband and I saw lots of wind turbines as well as blades being transported. It was surreal and sort of unsettling. lol I just wish our birds weren't ever injured by them. ~sigh~ There are no perfect solutions, are there? Be well!
ReplyDeleteHi Darla - Indeed they are quite sight!
DeleteCan yo imagine what skill it would take to transport these things
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, the drivers will have to be very skilled to manoeuvre the lorries through sometimes difficult terrains.
DeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteWind turbines are many in Scotland, and increasing rapidly. I think everyone should have their own windmill! Happy trails... YAM xx
Thank you, Yamini. When we went on a road trip in the north east of England last year, we could see several wind turbines, some of them really big. Yes, these have to be popularised a lot more and also incentivised so that people will find it economical.
DeleteThat is one very long drive. Nice you had a friend come along. I like hearing about wind power working out in places.
ReplyDeleteYes, quite a long one. True, wind power should be harnessed much more than what's being done nowadays. A companion during a long drive is always good fun.
DeleteIt's important for Govt policies to support wind turbine generation for it to grow. I hope the Govts will continue doing that.
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Very true, Rajesh. Clearly more can be done by governments.
DeleteYou don't realize how big they actually are until you see them up close. I saw an article showing discarded blades being used in Denmark I think it was as long shelters for bicycles. It was good to see them getting recycled and not adding to the landfill problem in our world.
ReplyDeleteHi Leanne - They are indeed huge. Nice to know about the initiative to recycle them.
DeleteI guess we will soon learn to depend on sun, wind, etc for energy. But the sight of these humongous trucks is scary.
ReplyDeleteHi Tomi - That's inevitable considering the pressure on conventional natural resources.
DeleteI had no idea wind turbines would be transported like that. I don't live anywhere near one, so I've never seen them on a truck.
ReplyDeleteMy tenants will be pleased their home state is a leader in wind power generation.
I too was surprised to see the blades being moved this way! Quite a sight it is.
DeleteI Love the road trip, so glad to hear that you went on a road trip Kerala, God's own country. I have not heard about wind turbines, thanks for the information, the video was good for understanding, thanks for sharing, hope i will take a road trip in the near future:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. Road trips like these offer us the flexibility regarding what to see and when to see. If you haven't been to Kerala, you must plan one. You must go to smaller towns to see the natural beauty and also the infrastructure development in such farflung and remote places.
DeleteI didn't know tamilnadu was largest wind energy producer and wow that surely is a humongous blade :)
ReplyDeleteHope u had a grt trip
Hi Afshan - Yes, it was news to me as well.
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