India is the fourth largest wind power producer in the world after Germany, US and Spain. Over the last decade, significant progress was made in harnessing wind for power generation across the world, particularly in Europe, US and India. Wind energy has emerged as the most promising renewable energy technology. Wind power installation capacity worldwide has crossed 78,200 mw, with about 48,000 mw capacity in Europe, 11,600 mw capacity in the US and 7,844.52 mw capacity in India.
The development of the wind power sector in the country was primarily due to the technology imported from Europe, which is more suited for European conditions. Machines meant for lower wind regimes?wind class II and III as per International Electro-technical Committee classification?are finding their way to India. In the recent times, however, there have been some attempts to develop Indian designs and technologies suited to local conditions, but most of the wind turbines and components produced are for exports, rather than for deployment in the country.
According to the union ministry for new and renewable energy, in 2006-07, indigenously produced wind turbines valued at $250 million were exported to the US, Europe, China, Brazil and Australia. Wind turbine blades valued at $25 million were exported to Germany, China, Spain and the US. In the year 2007-08, till December 31, 2007, indigenously produced wind turbines valued at $425 million were exported to the US, Australia, Brazil, Spain, Portugal etc. Wind turbine blades valued at $50 million were exported to Germany, China and Spain. According to a gross estimate, the exports of wind turbines and components would be around $900 million in 2007-08.
Wind electric generators are being manufactured in the country by a dozen manufacturers through joint venture or under licenced production or through subsidiaries of foreign companies under licenced production. Some Indian companies are manufacturing wind electric generators with their own technology. The level of indigenisation of the technology has been only to the level of 50%. The current annual production capacity of indigenous wind turbine is about 2000 mw.
It seems that the wind power companies are more interested in export earnings than in expanding the wind power generation in the country. Both the state and central governments have plans to render various incentives to the sector. The policymakers should reassess the situation and see if the incentive regime could to reviewed to encourage the wind power companies to expand the generation capacity in the country.
According to official estimates, India has the capacity to generate 45,195 mw wind power, assuming 1% of land availability for wind farms each requiring 12 hectares/mw, in sites having wind power density in excess of 200 watts/sqm at 50 metre hub-height. But so far, only 7,844.52 mw wind power has been generated in the country. The Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET) has found 216 sites in 13 states and union territories having wind power density in excess of 200 watt/sqm at 50 metre hub-height. These are 41 in Tamil Nadu, 38 in Gujarat, six in Orissa, 31 in Maharashra, 32 in Andhra Pradesh, seven in Rajasthan, eight in Lakshadweep, 26 in Karnataka, 17 in Kerala, seven in Madhya Pradesh, one each in West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar and Uttarakhand.
The wind power companies should, therefore, take up the opportunity for expanding the power generation capacity in the country, rather than concentrating on exports. Wind power generation is eco-friendly, as long it does not destroy forest cover. It can substitute the use of fossil fuel to a great extent.