Wind Power

The National Wind power programme includes wind resource assessment activities; research and development support; implementation of demonstration projects to create awareness and opening up of new sites; involvement of utilities and industry; development of infrastructure capability and capacity for manufacture, installation, operation and maintenance of wind electric generators; and policy support. The programme aims at catalysing commercialisation of wind power generation in the country. The Wind Resources Assessment Programme is being implemented through the State Nodal Agencies, Field Research Unit of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM-FRU) and Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET).

A notable feature of the Indian programme has been the interest among private investors/developers in setting up of commercial wind power projects. The wind power generation capacity in India is 49,130 MW as per the official estimates in the Indian Wind Atlas (2010) by the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET). Conceding technological advancement and higher wind speeds at higher hub heights, the projected wind potential using the same land availability will be in the order of 1,02,788 MW approximately . As on March 31, 2015 a total of about 23439.26 MW of commercial projects have been established.

Renewable energy accounts for approximately 12% of a total 200 GW of power generation capacity installed in India. The Indian wind energy sector has an installed capacity of 19,050 MW as on 31st March 2013. In terms of wind power installed capacity, India is ranked 5th in the World. Today India is a major player in the global wind energy market. Wind energy, with over 16 GW installed capacity, accounts for nearly 66% of the renewable energy installed in India. Leading states where Wind Power projects have been installed are Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Majority of installed capacity belongs to Private Sector in seven states. As on 31st march 2012, the total installed capacity was 17,365 MW. Tamil Nadu had the largest installed capacity of 6,987 MW. Maharashtra ranking number three in the list recorded a capacity of 2,733 MW.