Wind Energy in India: Shifting Paradigms and Challenges Ahead

Abstract

The Indian wind industry was placed third in terms of total installed capacity of wind electricity in the world some years back. It suffered a great setback when this rank shifted down to fifth after the United States, Germany, Denmark, and Spain in the later years. The falling profitability of private wind farm operations in the country today has been the cause of deep concern to many. As a result of the initiatives taken by the government to promote wind energy, different states have started supporting the wind power companies and investors with liberal policy initiatives. The steps to be adopted by the government agencies in order to ensure the desired growth of the wind industry in the country have been suggested in the paper. The paper also lists suggestions to meet the technical challenges faced by the Indian wind industry and to improve the performance of wind farms in India. It further suggests that a right choice of wind electric generators with an optimum rated wind speed will improve the wind farm performance. Potential markets and the role of utilities have also been described.