Renewed calls for Indian wind subsidy revival

• 11 years ago (2013-05-15)
• Junior Isles

Renewables 757

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India’s wind power sector is renewing calls for the re-introduction of generation-based incentives (GBI) to support flagging wind capacity growth.

Wind power producers were previously given an incentive of 50 paise per unit generated by the Indian Government, subject to a cap of Rs.62.5 lakh per MW of installed capacity, until the scheme ended March 31 last year.

Ramesh Kymal, chairman of Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA) said the scrapping of GBI and the accelerated depreciation benefits was a key factor in bringing down year-on-year wind capacity growth for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

"Last year the capacity addition nationwide was around 1700 MW against 3169 MW of the capacity added the previous year," he said.

In Tamil Nadu, around 170 MW of new wind energy capacity was hooked up during 2012-13, representing a precipitous decline on the approximate 1100 MW added the previous year.

Kymal estimated that capacity addition during 2013-14 would follow last year’s trend nationwide, and stated that wind energy sector’s growth from private investments had now stalled due to policy uncertainties.

Kymal speculated that if the situation continues, several wind turbine manufacturers would have to cease their operations.