Wind Power Scenario

Wind energy continued its dynamic growth worldwide in the year 2006-07. 15,100 mw were added in the past year summing up to a global installed capacity of 74,223 MW by the end of December 2006. Between 1997 and 2006, within only ten years, we have seen a tenfold increase in installed capacity worldwide. Wind energy technology continues to be the most dynamic energy source and wind is clearly emerging as the currently most promising solution to replace the most undesirable fossil fuel based electrical energy.

India has today amongst the world’s largest programmes for renewable energy. Activities cover all major renewable energy sources such as biogas, biomass, solar energy, wind energy, small hydropower and the other emerging technologies. Among these, wind energy is currently making a significant contribution to the installed capacity of power generation, and is emerging as a competitive option to fossil fuel based power generation.The Indian wind energy sector has an installed capacity of 6280 MW (as on December 31, 2006). In terms of wind power installed capacity, India is ranked 4th in the World. Today India is a major player in the global wind energy market.

During Tenth Plan (2002-2007), the requirement for investment in the power sector may go up to about Rs. 80,000-90,000 crores ($ 20 billion) per annum.  After the Indian power sector was opened up for private investment in generation in 1991, considerable interest was shown by private investors-both from within the country and abroad. However, the actual progress on setting up of the IPPs has been very slow.

Renewal energy is expected to create maximum impact in the production of electricity. Projections indicate that by the end of the first decade of the new century, it would be cost effective to generate and supply renewable electricity, aggregating to several thousand megawatts, as it's efficiencies and costs are decreasing, while the costs of conventional electricity are increasing

As per projections made by Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources, 10% of the 2,40,000MW (i.e. 24,000MW) installed capacity requirement by the year 2012 A.D. will come from renewable. It is envisaged that 50% of this capacity or 12,000MW may come from wind power. India has now gained sufficient technical and operational experience, and is now on the threshold of "taking off" in wind power. It offers a viable option in the energy supply mix, particularly in the context of the present constraints on conventional sources. It also offers an attractive investment option to the private sector, in the context of the recently announced policies and drive towards private sector generation.