WIND ENERGY

Wind energy is a form of renewable energy generated by converting the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy, which is then transformed into electricity.

GLOBAL SCENARIO
Germany, USA, Denmark, Spain, and India together account for nearly 80% of global installed wind energy capacity.

INDIA’S WIND ENERGY STATUS
• India’s installed wind power capacity: 39.2 GW (as of March 2021)
• Expected addition: ~20 GW in the next five years
• Over 95% of commercially viable wind resources are located in:
  Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu

NEED FOR WIND ENERGY
• Alternative to fossil fuels: Reduces dependence on imported coal/oil, improving energy security.
• Climate mitigation: Zero greenhouse gas emissions during electricity generation.
• Economic benefit: Local job creation, investment, and manufacture of components.
• Useful in remote areas: Helps in rural electrification and hybrid systems with diesel gensets.
• Geographical advantage: India’s 7,700 km coastline offers excellent wind potential.
• Cost-effective: One of the lowest-priced renewable energy sources globally.

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
• Land availability: Large land requirement leads to land acquisition conflicts.
• Cost competitiveness: Still struggles to compete with conventional sources in some regions.
• Transmission gaps: Best wind sites are far from load centres; requires new transmission lines.
• Noise pollution & aesthetics: Turbine sound and visual disturbance for nearby residents.
• Wildlife concerns: Bird and bat mortality due to turbine collisions.
• Seasonal variability: Wind is intermittent and unreliable without storage.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
• National Offshore Wind Energy Policy (2015): Developing offshore wind in India’s EEZ.
• Solar–Wind Hybrid Policy (2018): Efficient use of land and transmission lines by combining both.
• Waiver of ISTS charges: Encourages development in high-potential states.
• National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai: Apex R&D agency for wind energy.
• Excise duty exemptions: For components used in wind-operated generators.

OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY
TARGETS
• 5 GW offshore wind capacity by 2022
• 30 GW offshore capacity by 2030

POTENTIAL
• India has shallow-water regions suitable for offshore structures.
• Estimated potential: 127 GW along coastline.
• Higher wind speeds and better CUF than onshore sites.

ADVANTAGES
• Steady and uninterrupted power output
• No land requirement
• Suitable for high-demand coastal regions
• Less visual impact as turbines are far offshore
• Higher efficiency compared to onshore wind

CHALLENGES
• High installation and maintenance cost
• Undersea cable installation is extremely expensive
• Lack of Indian workforce skilled in marine-based wind systems
• Damage due to ocean storms and waves
• Slow project approvals and delays in environmental clearances

HYBRID ENERGY (WIND + SOLAR)
WHY HYBRID SYSTEMS?
• Solar and wind complement each other — solar peaks in daytime, wind often stronger at night.
• Reduces variability and improves grid stability.
• Maximizes energy production using same land and transmission lines.
• Helps achieve India’s 175 GW renewable target.

BENEFITS
• Higher efficiency and reliability
• Lower cost due to shared infrastructure
• Suitable for remote, off-grid areas
• Can integrate storage to ensure continuous supply
• Reduces intermittency of individual sources

NATIONAL WIND-SOLAR HYBRID POLICY, 2018 — KEY FEATURES
• Hybridization of existing wind/solar plants allowed without extra transmission charges.
• Battery storage permitted to stabilize output.
• CEA & CERC to issue technical standards for hybrid plants.
• Quality guidelines follow MNRE standards for wind turbines and solar modules.

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Subject: Environment

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