Public Information

India has an estimated gross wind power potential of 1,02,000 MW (assessed at 80 m height) which has been arrived at with certain practical assumptions.  This potential is mainly in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.  A total capacity of over 20,000 MW of wind power has so far been installed in the country.  This success owes much to the concerted efforts of the Central Government and State Governments in providing a conducive environment for the growth of wind power through private sector investment.

Recognizing the importance of wind power in India, the Planning Commission had recommended establishment of a National Wind Energy Mission in the 12th Five Year Plan.  A concept note for establishment of National Wind Energy Mission was accordingly prepared by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy after preliminary consultation with various stakeholders.  In order to get the views and suggestions of various stakeholders in a face-to-face mode, a National Consultation was organized by the Ministry on 09^th January, 2014 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, to consider issues relating to the need and rational for a new National Wind Energy Mission. 

The one day long consultation divided into four sessions broadly covered the following three issues, followed by a wrap-up session:

• Scope of a wind energy mission with regard to potential, land availability, grid connectivity, clearance procedures and zoning
• Long-term policy framework to incentivize large-scale deployment of wind sector. 
• Mechanisms for grid integration, balancing power, open access, and tariff determination for supporting aggressive wind power deployment.

This initiative was part of the efforts of the Ministry to remove hurdles in wind power development in the country, and bring together all stakeholders on a common platform to work in a coordinated and concerted manner. The Consultation was attended by industry representatives, state electricity regulators, State and Central Government officials and research and development experts. A total of around 200 persons participated in the consultation.

The consultation programme was inaugurated by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy. Dr. Abdullah in his opening remarks also announced regarding the development of offshore wind energy in the country. He mentioned that the potential of generating power through wind energy in the offshore areas was immense and the Ministry will approach the Union Cabinet soon for a decision. Dr. Abdullah also expressed the hope that the Finance Ministry will restore the benefit of Accelerated Depreciation for Wind Power Producers in the Interim Budget to be presented next month. The Union MNRE Minister also supported the idea of appropriate financial support to the wind power producers. 

Dr. S.B. Agnihotri, Secretary, MNRE highlighted the importance of setting up an Evacuation Infrastructure and short-term large scale Storage Facilities for the renewable energy. He also stressed on the need for making available long term finance at reasonable rate for the wind power producers. 

Dr. Alok Srivastava, Joint Secretary, MNRE, mentioned in the concluding session that during the consultation a great number of ideas came out as to what can be essentials components of the proposed Mission and some of these will be captured in the mission document.  He also mentioned that the Ministry will work on the ideas & issues as brought out in the consultation, prioritizing those which will have greater impact on development of the sector.

Also present during the Consultation were Shri R.V. Kanoria, Former President, FICCI, Smt. Neeraja Mathur, Chairperson, CEA, Shri Rakesh Sahni, Chaiman, MPERC, Shri M.R. Sreenivasa Murthy, Chairman, KERC, Shri D. Majumdar, CMD, IREDA, Shri Arunish Chawla, Planning Commission, Shri Sushanta Chatterjee, Joint Chief, CERC and office bearers from prominent industry associations.

The Consultation ended with a vote of thanks by the Ministry.

Session I: Large-scale wind power generation – Need for concerted action

�Dr. Alok srivastava, Joint Secretary, MNRE – Need, objectives and possible scope of a National Wind Mission

�Shri Deepak Gupta, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation – Wind energy sector: Key Facts

�Dr. S. Gomathinayagan, Executive Director, CWET – India’s wind power potential

�Shri Ramesh Kymal, Managing Director, Gamesa Wind Turbines – Industry perspective on manufacturing, land availability, clearances and transmission aspects.

�Shri I.S. Jha, Director, PGCIL – Transmission infrastructure requirements and grid integration aspects

Session II: Financing aspects and incentives for Wind industry

�Shri Dilip Nigam, Director, MNRE -  Existing wind power policies and incentives

�Shri Vivek Sharma, Crisil – Relevance of incentives in financing of wind power projects

�Shri S.R. Mohanty, Secretary, MPNRED –  Wind Power Development in Madhya Pradesh

�Dr. Kastoorirangaian, President, IWPA – Industry perspective on incentives and financing for wind power projects

Session III: Role of markets and regulations in supporting wind power deployment

�Shri S Akshyakumar, Director, TANGEDCO – Large-scale wind power evacuation, Tamilnadu experience

�Shri Sushanta Chatterjee, Joint Chief, CERC – Possible regulatory interventions to help integration of wind in grid and create market for wind power

� Shri Anish De, AF Mercados EMI –  Grid integration issues and possible Policy frameworks in support of variable renewable energy, primarily wind power

�Shri M P Ramesh, Vice President, Wind World India - Industry perspective on regulations, grid integration and tariff mechanisms

Session IV: Framework of Proposed National Wind Mission

�Shri Rajshree Sen, UD Energy – Small Wind Perspective