India has a target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil based electric installed capacity by 2030, including 100 GW from wind. However, the true challenge goes beyond just scaling up & includes securing our installed energy infrastructure & manufacturing its components domestically to prevent cybersecurity threats. In this article, we will look at the status of wind energy sector in India, the benefits the sector presents and the challenges faced by the Wind Energy Sector in India.
What is the status of Wind Energy in India?
| Fourth globally in installed wind capacity | India ranks fourth globally for installed wind energy capacity. According to the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), India has a wind potential of 1,163.86 GW at 150 meters above ground level. |
| Wind Energy as percentage of India’s installed renewable energy capacity | As of September 2024, India’s total installed renewable energy capacity is approximately 200 GW, including large hydro. Wind Power contributes to nearly 47 GW of installed renewable energy capacity in India. |
| Sates with wind capacity generation potential | Key states for wind capacity include Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh. These states collectively account for over 93% of India’s wind power capacity. With 10,603.5 MW of installed wind capacity, Tamil Nadu holds the second-highest capacity in the country. |
What are the benefits of Wind Energy?
1. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Source: Wind energy is inexhaustible and it replenishes naturally. This makes it a sustainable power source compared to fossil fuels. For ex- Denmark generates nearly half of its electricity from wind energy, thereby securing a steady, renewable energy supply.
2. Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Wind turbines generate electricity without producing CO₂ emissions. This helps to reduce the carbon footprint and mitigate climate change. For ex- In 2021, wind energy in the United States helped avoid approximately 189 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to taking 41 million cars off the road.
3. Energy Independence and Local Economic Growth: Wind power reduces dependence on imported fuels, bolstering energy independence and enhancing energy resilience.
4. Job Creation: Wind energy projects create jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and operations. For ex- India’s wind energy sector has created thousands of jobs, with Tamil Nadu alone providing numerous opportunities for local technicians and engineers.
What are the Challenges with the Wind Energy Sector in India?
1. Land Acquisition Issues: Acquiring large tracts of land for wind farms is a complex and time-consuming process in India. This often leads to delays in project implementation and increased costs due to bureaucratic hurdles and land disputes.
2. Intermittency and Unpredictability: Wind energy generation depends on weather conditions. This makes it unpredictable and variable during rough weather conditions such as monsoons.
3. Inadequate Transmission and Grid Infrastructure: India’s grid infrastructure is not equipped to handle large-scale integration of wind energy. For ex- Curtailment issues in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu due to limited transmission lines connecting wind farms to the main grid.
4. Lack of Updated Policies and Incentives: Older policies do not always accommodate modern technological advancements or the current needs of the sector. For ex- Opposition to TN’s wind energy policy from wind energy investors for not accounting for older turbines in the wind energy policy.
5. High Initial Costs and Financial Viability: Tamil Nadu turbines installed post-2018 lack a banking facility. This means that energy produced by repowered turbines cannot be banked, affecting the financial feasibility of these projects.
6. Inconsistent Wind Mapping and Resource Assessment: India lacks consistent, high-quality wind resource leading to suboptimal site selection and underutilized resources. For ex- In parts of Andhra Pradesh, inadequate wind mapping has resulted in underperforming wind farms.
7. Increased Urbanisation: Habitation growth near wind farms has also impacted the financial viability of the wind energy projects in India.
8. Local Ecological Concerns: The construction of wind farms can disrupt local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. For ex- Rajasthan has faced resistance to wind energy installations due to concerns over the impact on bird migratory routes and local wildlife habitats.
9. Cybersecurity threat: In the recent India-Pakistan skirmish (Operation Sindoor), Pakistan media outlet spread a fake news of crippling 70% of India’s energy infrastructure. Even though the news was false, but the threat is real. There have been various global incidents where cyberattacks have crippled energy grids. The power converters used in wind turbines & solar invertors in solar projects are software-defined assets & they depend upon SCADA (Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition) system – which could be compromised subtly & invisibly. A compromised SCADA system or remote-access breach could disable a wind farm, or multiple sites, in mere seconds.
What are the Government’s policies for Wind Energy Sector in India?
| National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy (2018) | The policy aims to encourage hybrid projects that integrate wind and solar power, improving grid stability and reducing dependency on one energy source. |
| Repowering Policy for Wind Power Projects | This policy focuses on repowering older wind turbines (under 2 MW) with more efficient, higher-capacity turbines to enhance output from existing sites. |
| Guidelines for Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (2017) | This policy promotes competitive bidding to drive down wind energy tariffs, encouraging transparency and cost-efficiency in power procurement from wind projects. |
| National Offshore Wind Energy Policy (2015) | This policy provides a framework to develop offshore wind energy in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. It grants the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) the authority to identify potential offshore sites and support project implementation. |
| Green Energy Corridor Project | The Green Energy Corridor Project focuses on creating transmission infrastructure to facilitate renewable energy integration into the national grid, including wind energy. |
| Localisation of manufacturing | According to a proposed amendment, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are required to establish R&D facilities in India – this change signals a decisive shift from passive assembly to active domestic innovation in India. The amendment is proposed to eliminate vulnerabilities to external cyberthreats. Moreover, mandating local R&D isn’t just about job creation or investment but about creating wind turbine technology designed for India’s grid, climate & challenges. |
What Should be the Way Forward?
1. Comprehensive and beneficial policy: Commercially beneficial, field-responsive policy should be implemented for long-term investment in wind energy.
2. Promoting Land Use Efficiency: Wind farms can coexist with agricultural or grazing land, allowing dual use and enabling farmers to earn additional income through land leases for wind turbines. For ex- In Iowa, USA, many farmers lease portions of their land for wind turbines, supplementing their agricultural income without significantly disrupting farming activities.
3. Rapid Deployment and Scalability: Wind farms should be built quickly and scaled to meet local electricity demand. For ex- UK’s recent rapid expansion of offshore wind energy plants in recent years.
4. Promotion of Hybrid Renewable Projects: Wind-solar hybrid systems can help overcome intermittency issues by ensuring energy availability even during low-wind periods. Such hybrid projects will also help in the maximization of land use and improvement of grid reliability.
5. Cybersecurity:
- Mandatory audit of software stacks & hardware backdoors, especially from OEMs in adversarial jurisdiction (such as China).
- To operate in India, vendors/OEMs must obtain certification & clearance from India authorities & adhere to Govt of India regulations. These regulations should include provisions for force majeure situations, where vendor/OEM-supplied equipment may fail to receive support & patches, potentially leading to significant security breaches & national security risks. This ensures that even in times of geopolitical uncertainty, India’s energy infra remains operable, supported & secure.
Conclusion:
India’s wind energy sector is poised for robust growth, backed by strong policy support, competitive tariffs, and ambitious targets. Addressing infrastructure, grid, and cybersecurity challenges will be crucial for sustainable expansion and for meeting the country’s clean energy goals.
| Read More: The Indian Express UPSC Syllabus GS-3: Energy Sector |
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