Power generation from wind has emerged as one
of the most rapidly growing renewable energy technologies. The
estimated power generation capacity in India through
wind is about
45,000 MW. The installed capacity is about 1,870 MW, which is about
4% of the total estimated potential.
Globally, wind generation capacity has increased
by 27% in the year 2002 and is expected to expand 15 – fold in the
next 20 years. Wind energy technologies have matured and
large capacity wind turbines in the range of 1.25 to 1.65 MW
are now being manufactured in India.
The productivity of
larger capacity machines is higher than that of smaller
machines. Minimum wind velocity required for power generation is
about 2.5 m/s and the maximum could be 30 m/s.
Energy generation for 1 MW turbine could be about
28 to 30 lakhs units per year, with a plant load factor of 25 to
30% Among the different renewable energy sources, wind energy is
currently making a significant contribution to the installed capacity of
power generation, and is emerging as a competitive option. The programme
covers research and development, survey and assessment of wind
resources, implementation of demonstration and private sector
projects and promotional policies. As a result, India, with
an installed capacity of about
3000 MW, ranks fifth in the world after Germany,
USA, Spain and Denmark in wind
power generation.
Small wind energy systems, namely water pumping
windmills, aero generators and wind-solar hybrid systems can also
be used for harnessing wind power potential, in addition to the large capacity
wind turbines. These systems have been found to be very useful for meeting
water pumping and small power requirements in decentralised mode in rural
and remote windy areas of the country, which are un-electrified or have
intermittent electric supply.
