Indian Wind sees impressive 165 per cent growth

• 13 years ago (2011-07-06)
• Junior Isles

Renewables 776

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The state of Gujarat, India, has experienced an unprecedented 545 per cent growth in wind power generation capacity between 2006 and 2011, moving from a mere 338 MW to 2175.5 MW in half a decade. The state currently produces around 15 per cent of the total wind power generation in India.

India as a whole has managed almost 165 per cent growth in wind power generation in the six year period between 2006 and 2011, from 5341 MW to 14 158 MW.

Gujarat has seen such success because it is favourably placed for high wind velocity. Its average wind speeds are in the range of 6 to 7 m per second, ideal for power generation. The wind blowing from Kutch, an arid, desert area, and the Arabian Sea are said to be the most favourable for expanding the wind sector.

Though the investment for a 1 MW wind installation currently costs as much as Rs.6 crores ($1.3 million), the accrued environmental benefits are enough compensation and the technological innovations presently taking place in the wind power sector will assist in improving the wind power production in the country, said Anil Kane, president of World Wind Energy Association (WWEA).

Presently, wind power generation represents nearly 70 per cent of total renewable power production in India, with the states of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan leading the field due to their advantageous geography.

A study performed by the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), a Chennai, India-based organization has established that India has the potential to generate around 48 561 MW of wind power and Gujarat state has the potential to generate 10 645 MW.