Meeting India's Need

The country's energy mix now boasts a share of 14-15% of renewable energy in terms of installed capacity, contributing about 5% to the electricity generation mix. Wind power accounts for 70% of this renewable installed capacity.

The Indian wind energy sector has an installed capacity of 20 GW (as on 31.5.2013). In terms of wind power installed capacity, India is ranked 5th in the world, and is a considered a major player in the global wind energy market.

The potential is far from exhausted. The Centre for Wind Energy Technology has re-assessed that with the current level of technology, the 'on-shore' potential for utilization of wind energy for electricity generation is of the order of 102000 MW at 80 meters hub-height, up from the earlier estimate of 49,000 MW.

The unexploited resource availability has the potential to sustain the growth of wind energy sector in India in the years to come.

Considering the growing need for energy, the Indian wind power scenario is currently in a dynamic phase of high growth.

Let's look at some key facts:

• Total Installed Capacity: 211,800 MW
• Peak Demand Shortage: 9%
• Energy Shortage: 8.7%
• Growth in Demand: 3.7%
• Proposed Capacity Additions: 88,00 MW by 2017

The states with highest wind power concentration are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

Growing concern for the environmental degradation has led to the world's interest in renewable energy resources. Wind is commercially and operationally the most viable renewable energy resource and accordingly, emerging as one of the largest source in terms of the renewable energy sector.

Today, the Indian market is emerging as one of the major manufacturing hubs for wind turbines in Asia. Currently, seventeen manufacturers have an annual production capacity of 7,500 MW.

According to GWEC, India could have 89 GW of installed wind capacity by 2020 up from 19GW at present, helping to fight a growing power shortage in the country

Wind energy will witness abundant opportunities in the developing economies such as India, where the power supply situation and infrastructure development efforts provide a huge market for active investment.

Source: www.gwec.net