Introduction
- India’s wind energy in India sector, crucial to its renewable energy strategy, ranks among the top globally in installed capacity.
- However, recent opposition to Tamil Nadu’s “Tamil Nadu Repowering, Refurbishment, and Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects – 2024” has highlighted the need for more robust frameworks that support sectoral growth.
Wind Energy in India: Status and Growth
Global Leadership in Wind Capacity:
- India stands fourth globally in installed wind capacity, a testament to its commitment to renewable energy. The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) reports that India has an estimated wind energy potential of 1,163.86 GW at 150 meters above ground, offering vast opportunities for expansion.
Contribution to India’s Renewable Portfolio:
- As of September 2024, India’s total installed renewable energy capacity is around 200 GW, inclusive of large hydropower. Wind Energy in India alone contributes nearly 47 GW, making up about a quarter of the renewable energy landscape and playing a key role in the country’s shift to cleaner energy.
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Key Wind Capacity States:
- States like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh lead in wind generation potential, accounting for over 93% of India’s total capacity. Tamil Nadu alone boasts 10,603.5 MW, making it a stronghold for wind energy development in India.
Benefits of Wind Energy
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Source:
- Wind energy is a naturally replenishing, inexhaustible resource, making it an essential alternative to fossil fuels. Denmark, for example, generates nearly half its electricity from wind, proving the viability of wind power as a sustainable energy source.
Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
- Wind turbines generate electricity without emitting CO₂, helping to reduce the overall carbon footprint. In 2021, wind energy in the U.S. helped avoid approximately 189 million metric tons of CO₂, equating to removing around 41 million cars from the road.
Energy Independence and Local Economic Growth:
- By reducing reliance on imported fuels, wind energy fosters national energy independence. It enhances resilience in energy supply and contributes to economic growth by supporting local industries.
Employment Opportunities:
- The wind sector creates jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and operations. Thousands of jobs have been generated across India, with Tamil Nadu providing significant employment to technicians, engineers, and support staff in the wind energy industry.
Challenges in India’s Wind Energy Sector
- Complex Land Acquisition: Obtaining large tracts of land for wind farms involves navigating bureaucratic hurdles and regulatory challenges, which often lead to delays and increased project costs.
- Intermittent and Weather-Dependent Supply: Wind energy generation is inherently variable, reliant on weather conditions. Seasonal variations, particularly during the monsoon, can impact wind output, posing challenges for consistent energy generation.
- Insufficient Transmission and Grid Infrastructure: India’s current grid infrastructure struggles to accommodate large-scale wind energy integration. For instance, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu face curtailment issues, where wind farms have to reduce output due to limited grid connectivity.
- Outdated Policies and Incentives: Many policies do not align with modern technological advancements, and recent changes, like Tamil Nadu’s new policy, have faced criticism for not sufficiently supporting the sector’s evolving needs, particularly regarding older turbines.
- High Initial Investment Requirements: Wind energy projects require significant upfront investment, especially for repowering older turbines. In Tamil Nadu, turbines installed after 2018 lack banking facilities, which prevents energy from being banked for future use, affecting financial viability.
- Inconsistent Wind Mapping and Resource Assessment: India’s wind resource assessments lack uniformity, leading to suboptimal site selection and performance issues. In Andhra Pradesh, for instance, inadequate mapping has resulted in underperforming wind farms, underscoring the need for improved data accuracy.
- Impact of Urbanization: Expanding urban areas near wind farms has affected project viability, as growing habitation limits operational areas and increases costs. Additionally, wind projects face ecological concerns, such as potential impacts on local wildlife habitats.
- Ecological and Wildlife Concerns: Wind farms can disrupt local ecosystems. For example, Rajasthan has faced local resistance to wind energy projects due to the impact on bird migratory routes and habitats, adding complexity to project planning and implementation.
Government Policies Supporting Wind Energy in India
National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy (2018):
- This policy promotes hybrid projects that combine wind and solar power to optimize grid stability and reduce dependency on a single renewable source.
Repowering Policy for Wind Power Projects:
- Focused on replacing older turbines (under 2 MW) with modern, higher-capacity versions, this policy aims to increase the efficiency and output of existing wind farms.
Guidelines for Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (2017):
- These guidelines foster competitive bidding, helping lower tariffs for wind power and encouraging cost-efficiency and transparency in procurement processes.
National Offshore Wind Energy Policy (2015):
- This policy provides a framework for offshore wind energy development in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, with NIWE identifying viable sites and supporting project implementation.
Green Energy Corridor Project:
- This project seeks to establish a transmission infrastructure for renewable energy, including wind power, facilitating efficient integration of renewables into India’s national grid.
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Way Forward
- Adaptive and Supportive Policies: India needs a forward-thinking policy framework that is commercially viable and responsive to the sector’s technological needs. Comprehensive policies should include incentives, repowering support, and provisions for new technology.
- Efficient Land Use Practices: Wind farms can coexist with agricultural or grazing lands, allowing dual land use without disrupting local livelihoods. For example, many farmers in Iowa, USA, lease parts of their land for wind turbines, generating supplementary income.
- Accelerated Project Deployment and Scalability: Rapid deployment and scalable wind projects are essential to meet growing electricity demand. The UK’s recent expansion of offshore wind farms exemplifies efficient project execution and scale-up strategies.
- Promotion of Hybrid Wind-Solar Projects: Combining wind and solar power through hybrid projects can help mitigate intermittency issues and optimize land use, improving grid reliability and maximizing renewable energy production.
- Enhanced Resource Mapping and Site Assessments: Accurate wind resource mapping is essential for optimal site selection. Consistent and precise assessments will ensure that wind resources are utilized effectively, preventing underperforming projects and enhancing overall sector productivity.
- Upgraded Transmission Infrastructure: India needs to prioritize transmission and grid infrastructure upgrades to facilitate large-scale Wind Energy in India integration. Projects like the Green Energy Corridor are promising steps, but broader initiatives are needed to improve connectivity to remote wind sites.
- Financial Support for Viability: Offering banking facilities and financial incentives, such as subsidies or tax credits, can make wind energy projects more economically feasible, encouraging further investment.
- Addressing Environmental and Community Concerns: Project planning should consider ecological impacts and local community concerns. Adjusting site plans to avoid wildlife habitats and engaging with communities can help build support for wind projects and mitigate opposition.
