India - now the fifth largest wind power producing nation in the world

Renewable Energy development programme has emerged as a viable option to achieve the goal of sustainable development in India. Power generation from renewable energy sources has assumed significance in the context of environmental hazards posed by the excessive use of fossil fuels. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has called upon planners, scientists and engineers to work for achieving the goal set in the Government’s Common Minimum Programme to electrify all villages in the next 5 years. Currently, renewable energy contributes about 5000 MW, representing almost 4.5 per cent of the total installed generating capacity from all sources. Of this, wind power alone accounts for 2483 MW, while biomass power accounts for 613 MW and small hydros, 1603 MW. Biogas and solar lighting have reached 3.5 million and one million households respectively.

An additional 4000 MW of power from renewable sources is to be added during the Tenth Five Year Plan period (2000-07). Further, the country has set a goal of elevating the share of renewable energy sources in power generation to 10 per cent by 2012. In addition, electrification of all remote villages through renewable energy by 2007 and all households in such villages by 2012 have been planned. Today, the country has the largest decentralized solar energy programme, the second largest biogas and improved stove programmes and the fifth largest wind energy programme in the world. A substantial manufacturing base has been created in a variety of renewable energy technologies placing India in a position to export technologies as well as offer technical expertise to other countries. Among the renewable energy sources, wind power has attracted great attention globally due to its techno-commercial viability and environment-friendly nature. Therefore, it is popularly known as ‘Green Power’. The special features of wind energy that make it attractive are zero cost fuels, low gestation period, quicker benefits and usefulness for sustainable economic development.

With an installed capacity of 2,483 MW as on March 31, 2004, India is now the fifth largest wind power producing nation in the world after Germany, USA, Spain and Denmark, Today, India has earned recognition as a new Wind Super Power. One of the largest renewable energy sources in the country, the gross wind energy potential is estimated at 45,000 MW. The capital cost of wind energy projects in the country ranges from Rs. 4 crore to Rs. 4.5 crore per MW. The cost of power generation is estimated to be Rs. 2 to Rs. 2.50 per KWh, depending on the site. The cost per unit of power comes down to 50 KWh, five years after the project commissioning due to the cost of fuel being null. Thereafter, for the next 15 years, it would stay at this level, as the only recurring cost would be on the operations and maintenance of the plant. Therefore, wind harvested power is both cheaper and reliable than other conventional sources of power. States with high wind power potential are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Many Indian Companies have tied-up with foreign and turbine companies for joint venture or licenced production of wind generators.