The Indian government has released a fresh estimate of the wind energy potential in the country.
The National Institute of Wind Energy, formerly the Centre of Wind Energy Technology, recently announced that the total onshore wind energy potential in the country is 302 GW (determined at a hub height of 100 meters).
The fresh estimates are six-times the wind energy potential determined at a 50 meter hub height, and three-times the potential estimated at a hub height of 80 metres.
The new estimates are in-line with the latest technology of wind turbines and towers available in the Indian market. The new assessment methodology also takes into account the actual land availability, with land features categorised into three ranks — wasteland, cultivable land, and forest land. Of the total estimated 302 GW potential, 153 GW is available in wasteland, 146 GW in cultivable land, and 3 GW in forest land.
The overall ranking of the states across the three wind potential estimates remains the same. Gujarat has the largest potential, accounting for about 28% or over 84GW followed by Karnataka with 56 GW and Maharashtra with 45 GW.
This study may be seen as an exercise to attract fresh investments in the wind energy sector. Of late, the solar power sector in India has hogged the investor limelight with ambitious goals and regulatory backing. The wind energy sector has been awaiting an impetus of its own, and the launch of the National Wind Energy Mission has been long delayed, but will now hopefully lead to competitive auctions, implementation of large-scale wind energy parks, and opening up of the offshore wind energy market.
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