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The Tamil Nadu government introduced the "Tamil Nadu Repowering, Refurbishment, and Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects - 2024" to revitalize and extend the lives of old wind turbines, but wind energy generators argue that it does not adequately promote generation.
Wind power is generated by converting the kinetic energy of air in motion into electricity. Wind rotates the rotor blades of wind turbines, converting kinetic energy into rotational energy. A rotating part transfers the rotational energy to the generator, producing electrical energy.
India has the world's fourth-largest installed wind energy capacity.
The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) estimates that India has a wind energy potential of 1,163.86 GW at 150 meters above ground level.
As of September 2024, wind energy accounts for nearly 47 GW of India's total installed renewable energy capacity of 200 GW, including large hydro.
Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh have the highest potential for wind energy generation. Together, these states account for more than 93% of India's wind power capacity.
Why are Indian coastal regions an ideal location for wind power generation?
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Wind energy is a renewable and sustainable resource that is essential for transition to a more environmentally friendly energy future. Wind power is abundant in areas such as Tamil Nadu and Gujarat and can be used without harming the environment.
Wind energy has become more affordable due to technological advancements and economies of scale. Modern wind turbines require less maintenance and have longer lifespans, which lower its operational costs.
It contributes to better air quality by generating electricity without emitting harmful pollutants.
It lowers carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuel-based power generation. This contributes to cleaner air and can help India to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include affordable clean energy and climate action.
The growth of the wind energy industry is creating numerous job opportunities. By 2030, millions of new jobs are expected to be created in a range of industries, including wind energy plant installation, maintenance, and operation.
The National Offshore Wind Energy Policy of 2015 established a framework for developing offshore wind energy in Exclusive Economic Zone. It allows the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) to identify potential offshore sites and promote the implementation of offshore wind projects.
The Guidelines for Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (2017) to promote transparency and cost-effective wind energy procurement by encouraging competitive bidding, the policy reduces wind energy tariffs, making it more affordable and attractive to investors.
The National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy (2018) promotes the integration of wind and solar energy into hybrid projects to improve grid stability while reducing dependency on a single energy source, which can result in a more dependable and environmentally friendly power supply.
The Green Energy Corridor Project to build transmission infrastructure to integrate renewable energy, including wind power, into the national grid, to ensure that wind energy generated in different regions is efficiently transmitted and distributed across the country.
Wind energy generation is highly weather-dependent, making it unpredictable during severe weather events such as monsoons, therefore energy production can become inconsistent and unreliable.
Acquiring large plots of land for wind farms is a difficult and time-consuming process. Bureaucratic challenges and land disputes often result in project delays and increased costs.
Wind energy projects have high initial costs, and their economic viability is often questioned. In Tamil Nadu, turbines installed after 2018 lack a banking facility, which means that the energy generated cannot be stored, which reduces the economic viability of these projects.
The expansion of urban areas near wind farms has reduced the available land for new wind projects and also raising challenges to the financial viability of existing wind energy installations.
Wind farms may lead to disruptions to local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Wind energy projects frequently face opposition due to concerns about the impact on bird migration routes and local wildlife habitats.
Need to design policies to promote industry growth by providing incentives, promoting easy land acquisition, and lowering regulatory barriers to ensure that investments in wind energy projects remain stable and sustainable.
Initiatives should be taken to promote Wind farms (developed by integrating with agriculture or grazing land) to improve land use efficiency, This dual use of land allows farmers to lease portions of their land for wind turbines, and increase their income without significantly disrupting farming operations.
Government Should promote hybrid renewable projects by combining the benefits of wind and solar power to maximize land use and improve grid reliability to provide a more stable and sustainable energy solution while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Critically analyze the challenges and potential of the wind energy sector in India. (150 words) |
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