Wind Energy in India
Please note that the latest available data from India is from 2021
The Government of India has announced an achievable Renewable Energy target of 500 GW of clean energy sources by the year 2030, out of which 140 GW will be coming from wind power. The wind energy potential in India is very high, estimated at 695.5GW at 120m in height.
Renewable Energy Sources (excluding large Hydro) currently account for 27.5% (109,885 MW) of India’s overall installed power capacity of 399,496 MW (31.03.2022). Wind Energy holds the major portion of 36.7 % of total RE installed capacity. The country currently has the fourth-highest wind installed capacity in the world, with a total installed capacity of 40.358 GW as of March 2022.
India is blessed with a coastline of about 7600 km and has good prospects of harnessing offshore wind energy. Gujarat and the Tamil Nadu States have identified a high potential for offshore generation. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India (MNRE) has set a target of 30 GW offshore installations by 2030.
In India, most of the leading wind turbine manufacturers have established their facilities. India has a strong supply chain of wind turbine component manufacturers, and Indian wind turbine manufacturers have already started focusing on the export market demand, apart from meeting the domestic market demand.
To read more about India’s wind energy sector in 2021, read their chapter in the 2021 Annual Report.
National Targets
The Government of India has announced a laudable Renewable Energy target of 500 GW of lean energy sources by 2030, out of which 140 GW will be coming from wind power. The wind energy potential in India is very high. The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) initially estimated the wind potential in India as 49 GW at 50m height. However, according to the new study conducted by NIWE, the wind potential has been estimated as 695.5GW at 120m height. At present, the assessment of wind potential at 150m is underway.
Progress & Operational Details
Renewable Energy Sources (excluding large Hydro) currently account for 27.5% (109885 MW) of India’s overall installed power capacity of 399496 MW (31.03.2022). Wind Energy holds the major portion of 36.7 % of total RE installed capacity. The country currently has the fourth-highest wind installed capacity in the world, with a total installed capacity of 40.358 GW as of March 2022, as shown above.
Central Electricity Authority projections for 2029-30 suggest that when India installed capacity becomes 817 GW in 2030, non-fossil resources would meet 525 GW. In such a scenario, wind energy would have a higher share of the renewable energy contribution.
National RDD Priorities and Budget
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) programme on implementation of “Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development (RE-RTD)” during the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 at a total cost of Rs. 228/- crore. The scheme aims at scaling up R&D efforts for “Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development” during the said period for promoting indigenous technology development and manufactures for widespread applications of new and renewable energy in an efficient and cost-effective manner across the country. The programme will strengthen the research and innovation capacity of the country and will be implemented in accordance with the policy and guidelines issued from time to time and thrust areas identified by MNRE.