Locating priority zones for achieving 60 GW of Wind Power

The interim results of a GIS-based study commissioned by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) shows a multi-fold increase in India’s overall wind potential. In order to make large-scale wind power generation a reality, MNRE requested the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) to organise a two-day Stakeholder Consultation with state nodal agencies (like KREDL and GEDA), IWPA, NIWE, PGCIL and representatives from the wind industry (like Hero Future Energies, RegenPowerTech, DNVGL, etc.).

“The new wind potential is still a work in progress and I greatly appreciate the hard work put in by CSTEP and WindForce in collaboration with NIWE to create it. While the exact number of giga watts which can be declared as ‘potential’ would greatly depend on the assumptions made in the study, we now know that the potential at 100 m is higher than that earlier estimated by NIWE at 80 m (100 GW). The true advantage of the present exercise is the GIS capability which will enable its use as a planning tool for identifying specific zones/locations for development and to shape policies according to the characteristics thus discovered”, said Varsh Joshi, Joint Secretary, MNRE at the workshop.

The participants at the workshop were presented with the results of MNRE’s Reassessment of Wind Potential study to locate priority areas with high potential where development needs to be fast-tracked. Certain state-specific solutions to increase the deployment of onshore wind energy were also identified. For instance, in Karnataka, in order to speed up the land allotment process, certain clauses in the Land Reform Act, pertaining to the use of agricultural land, will need to be relaxed. The participants also discussed potential solutions to grid-integration and cost-related challenges.

“To realise Karnataka’s available wind potential, activities such as strengthening the grid and the review and revision of the RE policy to ease bottlenecks in terms of land procurement will be taken up. The next major issue would be the setting of tariffs which is presently not under state control. Additionally, old wind farms will be repowered to increase the wind capacity in the high wind potential areas”, said G.V. Balaram, MD, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL).

“The increased potential will expose more opportunity for the wind industry and probably new areas for development/deployment of the sector. Excess capacity needed in the grid infrastructure also can be useful for other renewables since wind is seasonal in India. There will be effective use of the cost and time of installing the green energy corridor for renewables”, said Dr.Gomathinayagam, Director General, NIWE. 

Several factors such as the availability of land and investment and the capacity of the existing power grid to absorb wind-generated electricity will define the actual wind potential that can be realised and utilised in the country. In terms of available potential, earlier estimates indicated an overall potential of 102 GW, which will now be revised based on the findings of MNRE’s reassessment study. However, only 22% of the potential is currently being utilised, which will have to be significantly increased if India is to meet the government’s 60 GW wind power target.