{"id":339850,"date":"2025-06-09T18:57:17","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T13:27:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=339850"},"modified":"2025-06-13T16:26:27","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T10:56:27","slug":"wind-energy-sector-in-india-significance-challenges-explained-pointwise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wind-energy-sector-in-india-significance-challenges-explained-pointwise\/","title":{"rendered":"Wind Energy Sector in India – Significance & Challenges – Explained Pointwise"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Wind
Source- The Hindu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
Table of Content<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the status of Wind Energy in India?<\/a>
\nWhat are the benefits of Wind Energy?<\/a>
\nWhat are the Challenges with the Wind Energy Sector in India?<\/a>
\nWhat are the Government\u2019s policies for Wind Energy Sector in India?<\/a>
\nWhat Should be the Way Forward?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What is the status of Wind Energy in India?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Fourth globally in installed wind capacity<\/strong><\/td>\nIndia ranks\u00a0fourth 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wind Energy as percentage of India\u2019s installed renewable energy capacity<\/strong><\/td>\nAs of September 2024,\u00a0India\u2019s total installed renewable energy capacity\u00a0is approximately\u00a0200 GW, including large hydro. Wind Power contributes to nearly\u00a047 GW of installed renewable energy capacity in India.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sates with wind capacity generation potential<\/strong><\/td>\nKey states for wind capacity include Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh. These states collectively account for over 93% of India\u2019s wind power capacity. With 10,603.5 MW of installed wind capacity, Tamil Nadu holds the second-highest capacity in the country.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Wind
Source- MNRE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/a>What are the benefits of Wind Energy?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Source:<\/strong>\u00a0Wind energy is inexhaustible and it replenishes naturally. This makes it a sustainable power source compared to fossil fuels.\u00a0For ex-<\/strong>\u00a0Denmark generates nearly half of its electricity from wind energy, thereby securing a steady, renewable energy supply.<\/p>\n

2. Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions:<\/strong>\u00a0Wind turbines generate electricity without producing CO\u2082 emissions. This helps to reduce the carbon footprint and mitigate climate change.\u00a0For ex-<\/strong>\u00a0In 2021,\u00a0wind energy in the United States helped avoid approximately 189 million metric tons of CO\u2082 emissions, equivalent to taking 41 million cars off the road.<\/p>\n

3. Energy Independence and Local Economic Growth:<\/strong>\u00a0Wind power reduces dependence on imported fuels, bolstering energy independence and enhancing energy resilience.<\/p>\n

4. Job Creation:<\/strong>\u00a0Wind energy projects create jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and operations.\u00a0For ex-<\/strong>\u00a0India\u2019s wind energy sector has created thousands of jobs, with Tamil Nadu alone providing numerous opportunities for local technicians and engineers.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What are the Challenges with the Wind Energy Sector in India?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Land Acquisition Issues:<\/strong>\u00a0Acquiring large tracts of land for wind farms is a complex and time-consuming process in India. This often leads to\u00a0delays in\u00a0project implementation\u00a0and\u00a0increased costs\u00a0due to\u00a0bureaucratic hurdles\u00a0and land disputes.<\/p>\n

2. Intermittency and Unpredictability:<\/strong>\u00a0Wind energy generation depends on weather conditions. This makes it unpredictable and variable during rough weather conditions such as\u00a0monsoons.<\/p>\n

3. Inadequate Transmission and Grid Infrastructure:<\/strong>\u00a0India\u2019s grid infrastructure is not equipped to handle large-scale integration of wind energy.\u00a0For ex-<\/strong>\u00a0Curtailment issues in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu due to limited transmission lines\u00a0connecting wind farms to the main grid.<\/p>\n

4. Lack of Updated Policies and Incentives: <\/strong>Older policies do not always accommodate modern technological advancements or the current needs of the sector.\u00a0For ex-<\/strong>\u00a0Opposition to TN\u2019s wind energy policy from wind energy investors\u00a0for not accounting for older turbines in the wind energy policy.<\/p>\n

5. High Initial Costs and Financial Viability:<\/strong>\u00a0Tamil 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.<\/p>\n

6. Inconsistent Wind Mapping and Resource Assessment:<\/strong>\u00a0India lacks consistent, high-quality wind resource leading to suboptimal site selection and underutilized resources.\u00a0For ex-<\/strong>\u00a0In\u00a0parts of Andhra Pradesh, inadequate wind mapping has resulted in\u00a0underperforming wind farms.<\/p>\n

7. Increased Urbanisation:<\/strong>\u00a0Habitation growth near wind farms has also impacted the financial viability of the wind energy projects in India.<\/p>\n

8. Local Ecological Concerns:<\/strong>\u00a0The construction of wind farms can disrupt local ecosystems and wildlife habitats.\u00a0For ex-<\/strong>\u00a0Rajasthan\u00a0has faced resistance to wind energy installations due to concerns over the impact on bird migratory routes and local wildlife habitats.<\/p>\n

9. Cybersecurity threat:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What are the Government\u2019s policies for Wind Energy Sector in India?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy (2018)<\/strong><\/td>\nThe policy aims to\u00a0encourage hybrid projects that integrate wind and solar power, improving grid stability and reducing dependency on one energy source.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repowering Policy for Wind Power Projects<\/strong><\/td>\nThis policy focuses on\u00a0repowering older wind turbines (under 2 MW)\u00a0with more efficient, higher-capacity turbines to enhance output from existing sites.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Guidelines for Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (2017)<\/strong><\/td>\nThis policy\u00a0promotes competitive bidding\u00a0to drive down wind energy tariffs, encouraging transparency and cost-efficiency in power procurement from wind projects.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
National Offshore Wind Energy Policy (2015)<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\nThis policy provides a framework to\u00a0develop offshore wind energy in India\u2019s Exclusive Economic Zone. It grants the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) the authority to identify potential offshore sites and support project implementation.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Green Energy Corridor Project<\/strong><\/td>\nThe Green Energy Corridor Project focuses on creating transmission infrastructure to facilitate renewable energy integration into the national grid, including wind energy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Localisation of manufacturing\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nAccording 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.
\nMoreover, 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.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What Should be the Way Forward?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Comprehensive and beneficial policy:<\/strong>\u00a0Commercially beneficial, field-responsive policy should be implemented for long-term investment in wind energy.<\/p>\n

2. Promoting Land Use Efficiency:<\/strong>\u00a0Wind farms can coexist with agricultural or grazing land, allowing dual use and enabling farmers to earn additional income through land leases for wind turbines.\u00a0For ex-<\/strong>\u00a0In Iowa, USA, many farmers lease portions of their land for wind turbines, supplementing their agricultural income without significantly disrupting farming activities.<\/p>\n

3. Rapid Deployment and Scalability:<\/strong>\u00a0Wind farms should be built quickly and scaled to meet local electricity demand.\u00a0For ex-<\/strong>\u00a0UK\u2019s recent rapid expansion of offshore wind energy plants in recent years.<\/p>\n

4. Promotion of Hybrid Renewable Projects:<\/strong>\u00a0Wind-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\u00a0maximization of land use\u00a0and\u00a0improvement of grid reliability.<\/p>\n

5. Cybersecurity:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n