The use of wind turbines to generate electricity is known as wind power or wind energy. Wind energy is a popular, clean, renewable energy source with a substantially lower carbon footprint. India's wind power-producing capacity has expanded dramatically in recent years. The overall installed wind power capacity was 40 GW as of 30 November 2021, making it the world's fourth-highest installed wind power capacity. The Southern, Western, and Northern regions have the most wind power capacity. This article will explain to you about Wind Energy in India which will be helpful in preparing for Geography for the UPSC Civil service exam.

How Power is Generated from Wind?

• The propeller-like blades of a turbine are turned by the wind around a rotor, which spins a generator, which generates power.
• The use of wind turbines to generate electricity is known as wind power or wind energy.
• Sails, windmills, and windpumps have all harnessed wind power in the past.
• The kinetic energy in the wind is converted into mechanical energy by wind turbines.
• Wind creates lift on the blades, which causes the blades to turn (similar to the effect on airplane wings).
• The blades are attached to a drive shaft that rotates an electric generator, which generates electricity.

Wind Farm/Park

• A wind farm or wind park, also known as a wind power station or wind power plant, is a collection of wind turbines used to generate electricity in one location.
• Wind farms range in size from a few dozen turbines to several hundred turbines spread out over a large area.

Types of Wind Farm/Parks

Onshore

• Wind turbines generate electricity by harnessing the energy of moving air.
• Onshore wind turbines are those that are located on land.

Offshore

• Offshore turbines are located in freshwater or out at sea.
• A fixed-foundation wind turbine is constructed in shallow water, whereas a floating wind turbine is constructed in deeper waters, with its foundation anchored to the seabed.
• Floating wind farms are still in the early stages of development.
• Offshore wind farms must be at least 200 nautical miles from the coast and 50 feet below the surface of the water.
• Offshore wind turbines generate electricity that is sent back to shore via cables buried in the seabed.

Status of Wind Energy in India

• In recent years, India's wind power generation capacity has increased significantly.
• The total installed wind power capacity was 40 GW as of 30 November 2021, making it the world's fourth largest installed wind power capacity.
• The Southern, Western, and Northern regions have the most wind power capacity.
• Between 2010 and 2020, the compound annual growth rate for wind generation was 11.39 percent, and for installed capacity, it was 8.78 percent.
• India's 7,600 km of coastline, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), can generate 127 GW of offshore wind energy.
• At a 100 metre hub height, the total wind energy potential, according to the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), is 302 GW.
• Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu account for more than 95 percent of commercially exploitable resources.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) of the Union has set a goal of installing 5 GW of offshore wind by 2022 and 30 GW by 2030.

Government Initiatives

National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy

The main goal is to provide a framework for the promotion of large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for the most optimal and efficient use of wind and solar resources, transmission infrastructure, and land.

National Offshore Wind Energy Policy

• The National Offshore Wind Energy Policy was notified in October 2015.
• The main goal is to develop offshore wind energy in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which stretches for 7600 kilometers along the Indian coastline.

Major Wind Power Plants in India

Advantages of Wind Energy

• Wind energy is a cost-effective option.
• Wind energy mitigates the price uncertainty that fuel costs add to traditional sources of energy because its electricity is sold at a fixed price over a long period of time and its fuel is free.
• Jobs are created by the wind power production sector.
• More people are employed in the wind industry, and wind turbine technician is one of the fastest-growing occupations.
• Industry growth and competitiveness are aided by the wind.
• It's an environmentally friendly fuel source.
• Wind energy does not pollute the air in the same way that power plants that burn fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas, do, emitting particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, which cause human health problems and economic losses.
• Wind turbines do not emit any pollutants into the atmosphere that cause acid rain, smog, or greenhouse gases.
• The wind supply is plentiful and unrestricted.
• It is a sustainable resource.
• The wind in itself is a type of solar energy. Winds are caused by the sun's heating of the atmosphere, the Earth's rotation, and the irregularities on its surface.
• The energy produced by the sun and the wind can be harnessed to send power across the grid for as long as the sun shines and the wind blows.
• On existing farms or ranches, wind turbines can be installed.
• This has a significant economic impact in rural areas, where the majority of the best wind sites are located.
• Farmers and ranchers can continue to use the land because wind turbines only take up a small portion of it.

Problems in the Wind Energy Sector in India

• There has been a slowdown in the wind power sector for the past three years. India added around 5.5 GW in 2016-17, but only 2 GW in 2017-18.
• The wind energy sector grew rapidly at first due to incentives in a generation, accelerated depreciation, and taxation. The government has gradually reduced these benefits.
• Solar energy has the lowest bidding price of Rs 2.23 per unit, while wind energy has a bidding price of around Rs 4.50. Solar energy is a more profitable investment for investors.
• Wind energy policies are still in the early stages of development.
• In December 2017, the Indian government published the framework for auctioning. Every product has a tariff ceiling imposed on it.

Challenges in Harnessing Offshore Wind Energy

• Before venturing offshore, a great deal of data must be collected. Germany, for example, took eight years to collect metocean and geological data before embarking on its first few projects.
• Wind energy production from offshore necessitates a significant investment in support infrastructure.
• India lacks local substructure manufacturers, installation vessels, and skilled workers.
• Offshore wind turbines require more robust foundations and structures than onshore wind farms.
• Higher installation costs may result as a result of this.
• Wind turbines can be damaged by the action of waves and even high winds, especially during storms or hurricanes.
• Offshore wind farms will eventually require more expensive and difficult maintenance.
• Europe is currently the market leader in offshore. The tariffs are comparable to the onshore tariffs in India.
• Incentives have aided Europe's offshore wind energy development over the years. In India, such assistance is lacking.
• There is a concern that no one would invest offshore given how cheap solar energy is right now and how underdeveloped the onshore wind sector is.

Way Forward

• Renewable purchase obligation: A renewable purchase obligation allows power distribution companies, open access consumers, and captive users to purchase clean energy as part of their total electricity consumption.
• Tax reductions: The GST Law in India exempts electricity and power sales from the tax.
• Wind power generation companies, on the other hand, are unable to claim input tax credits when they pay GST to purchase goods and/or services for the project's setup.
• Discoms can enact feed-in tariff (FiT) regulations that make the purchase of offshore wind power mandatory.
• Deemed Generation Provision: Because State Load Dispatch Centres (SLDCs) are unable to absorb large amounts of power generated, offshore wind projects must be protected against curtailment concerns.
• Develop sub-sea substations: The Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd could develop underwater power evacuation and sub-sea substations. Offshore wind farm developers would face less risk as a result of this.

Conclusion

In recent years, India has made significant progress in improving access to modern energy. India has more than halved the number of people without electricity and doubled the rate of rural electrification since 2000. Despite this, approximately 240 million people, or 20% of the population, lack access to electricity. Wind power has the potential to play a significant role in bringing a clean and indigenous source of energy to the people in the coming decade.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following states leads in wind energy production in India?

A) Gujarat
B) Maharashtra
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Rajasthan

2. What is the estimated wind energy potential of India?

A) 50 GW
B) 100 GW
C) 302 GW
D) 500 GW

3. What is the main advantage of offshore wind energy over onshore wind energy?

A) Higher wind speeds
B) Cheaper installation
C) Easier maintenance
D) More stable wind patterns

4. Which policy was introduced to promote hybrid wind-solar systems in India?

A) National Wind Policy
B) National Solar Energy Policy
C) National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy
D) National Renewable Energy Policy

5. What is the expected share of wind energy in India's total installed renewable capacity by 2030?

A) 20%
B) 30%
C) 40%
D) 50%

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the role of wind energy in India's transition to renewable energy. What are the key challenges faced in the wind energy sector?

Answer: Wind energy plays a pivotal role in India's renewable energy goals, contributing significantly to the country's 175 GW renewable energy target by 2022 and beyond. It reduces dependence on fossil fuels, cuts carbon emissions, and provides clean energy. However, challenges such as high installation costs, land acquisition issues, and intermittent energy supply hinder the sector's growth. Offshore wind energy also faces additional challenges, such as lack of infrastructure and investment.

Q2: Discuss the impact of government policies on the growth of wind energy in India. How can India overcome the current bottlenecks?

Answer: Government policies, such as the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy and Renewable Purchase Obligations, have accelerated the growth of wind energy. However, issues like tariff regulations and the need for better grid infrastructure remain bottlenecks. To overcome these challenges, the government needs to increase investment in grid modernization, provide more incentives for offshore wind, and foster public-private partnerships.

Q3: Evaluate the potential of offshore wind energy in India. What steps should the government take to fully harness this potential?

Answer: Offshore wind energy in India has an untapped potential of over 127 GW. To harness this, the government should focus on improving the technical expertise available, developing necessary infrastructure, and providing financial incentives for developers. Additionally, international collaborations and investments will be crucial to making offshore wind viable.

Previous Year Questions on Wind Energy

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2022:

Question: Which of the following regions in India has the highest potential for offshore wind energy generation?

A) Eastern Coast
B) Western Coast
C) Northern Plains
D) Deccan Plateau

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The western coast of India, especially Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, has the highest potential for offshore wind energy generation due to favorable wind conditions and shallow coastal areas.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 3):

Question: "Critically examine the challenges facing the wind energy sector in India and suggest measures to overcome them."

Answer: The wind energy sector in India faces challenges such as high land costs, lack of consistent wind speeds, and inadequate grid infrastructure. Offshore wind energy remains underdeveloped due to higher costs and lack of technical expertise. To overcome these, India needs to focus on policy reforms, increased R&D investment, and improved public-private partnerships to enhance the sector’s growth.