Wind Power Potential of Windy States and Policy for Repowering Wind Power Projects
The Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power has informed about the states with the highest potential for wind energy. The wind resource assessment conducted by the National Institute of Wind Energy indicates an estimated wind power potential of about 695.5 GW at 120 meter and 1,164 GW at 150 meter above ground level in the country. However, the wind resource is highly site-specific and its commercially exploitable potential is available majorly in eight states. The state-wise wind power potential of these eight windy states is given as under:
|
State
|
Wind Power Potential (in GW) at 120 m above ground level
|
Wind Power Potential (in GW) at 150 m above ground level
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
74.90
|
123.33
|
|
Gujarat
|
142.56
|
180.79
|
|
Karnataka
|
124.15
|
169.25
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
15.40
|
55.42
|
|
Maharashtra
|
98.21
|
173.86
|
|
Rajasthan
|
127.75
|
284.25
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
68.75
|
95.10
|
|
Telangana
|
24.83
|
54.71
|
|
Others
|
18.95
|
27.14
|
|
Total
|
695.5
|
1,163.85
|
The Minister informed that the Government has issued ‘Policy for Repowering of the Wind Power Projects’ on 05th August, 2016 which, inter alia, provides an incentive of additional interest rate rebate of 0.25% over and above the interest rate rebates available to the new wind projects being financed by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA).
Majority of wind turbine components are made up of metals which can be recycled, and for Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) used in blades, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued ‘Guidelines for Disposal of Thermoset Plastic Waste including Sheet moulding compound (SMC) / Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP)’ on 25th May, 2016.
This information has been given by the Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power Shri R. K. Singh, in a written reply to a question, in Rajya Sabha on August 8, 2023.
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PIB DELHI | AM / DJM