Harnessing-the-Wind-Indias-Journey-Towards-Energy-Independence.pptx

Wind

1. Harnessing the Wind: India's Journey Towards Energy Independence Explore India's significant strides in wind power, its current landscape, and the exciting path ahead as a cornerstone of the nation's clean energy ambitions.

2. The Power of Wind: A Fundamental Definition 1 Generating Clean Electricity Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into electricity, primarily by using wind turbines to drive electrical generators. It's a direct translation of kinetic energy from moving air into usable power. 2 Renewable & Sustainable As a renewable energy source, wind is inexhaustible and sustainable. It produces zero greenhouse gas emissions during operation, significantly reducing our carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuels. 3 Environmental Impact By offsetting fossil fuel use, wind energy plays a crucial role in combating climate change and improving air quality, contributing to a healthier environment for all.

3. India's Wind Power Surge: Capacity and Growth India's installed wind power capacity has seen remarkable growth, establishing it as a global leader in renewable energy. As of July 2025, this sector contributes significantly to the national grid. Installed Capacity (July 2025) 52.14 GW Recent Additions (FY 2024-25) 4.15 GW This represents more than a doubling since 2014, when capacity stood at approximately 21 GW. Wind power now ranks as India's second-largest renewable energy source after solar, underscoring its pivotal role in the nation's clean energy transition.

4. Integrating Wind: Contribution to India's Total Power Mix Wind power is an indispensable component of India's ambitious clean energy goals, making a substantial contribution to the nation's overall power generation capacity. Non-Fossil (excluding Wind) Wind Fossil Fuels India’s total installed capacity stands at approximately 476 GW as of 2025. Non-fossil fuel sources account for 235.7 GW , representing nearly 49% of the total. Wind energy contributes 51.3 GW , making up about 11% of the non-fossil capacity. This significant share is vital for achieving India’s commitments to renewable energy and climate change mitigation.

5. Momentum Restored: Year-Wise Wind Capacity Additions After a period of fluctuation, India's wind power sector has demonstrated a strong revival, with consistent additions to its capacity over recent years. The year 2016-17 marked a record with 5.5 GW added. Following a slowdown, recent years show a steady increase, indicating renewed confidence and investment in the sector, with 4.15 GW added in the last fiscal year.

6. Geographic Distribution: State-Wise Wind Power Capacity India's wind power capacity is concentrated in states with strong wind resources and supportive policies, with some regions leading the nation's renewable energy drive. Gujarat 12.3 GW Tamil Nadu 11.3 GW Karnataka 6.7 GW Maharashtra 5.2 GW Rajasthan 5.2 GW Andhra Pradesh 4.1 GW Gujarat and Tamil Nadu stand out as leaders, contributing significantly to the national wind energy portfolio, followed by other resource-rich states.

7. Wind's Role in the Grid: Generation and Complementarity Wind power plays a distinct and valuable role in India's electricity grid, offering unique advantages, particularly in complementing other renewable sources. Power Generated: Approximately 78.2 billion units (BU) were generated from wind between April and February 2025. Grid Share: Wind currently accounts for about 4.7% of the total electricity in the grid. Peak Generation: Wind power often peaks during evenings and nights, which are non-solar hours, providing crucial power when solar output is low. Seasonal Variation: Generation is highest during the monsoon season due to stronger and more consistent winds. Solar Complement: Its generation profile naturally complements solar power, enhancing grid stability and reliability when integrated effectively.

8. Untapped Potential: Resource Availability and Future Projects India possesses immense untapped wind energy potential, both onshore and offshore, promising significant expansion opportunities for the sector. High Hub Height Potential Significant potential exists for wind power generation, especially at hub heights of 100-120 meters, where wind speeds are more consistent. Offshore Projects Offshore wind development is in its planning stages, with several pilot projects and auctions expected to unlock vast new resources along India's coastline. Resource Mapping The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) actively maps, monitors, and identifies high-potential wind resource zones across the country. Current estimates suggest that hundreds of GW of wind power could be harnessed, indicating a strong future for the sector.

9. Policy & Manufacturing: Driving Self-Reliance in Wind Technology India's commitment to wind power is bolstered by robust policies and a thriving domestic manufacturing ecosystem, fostering self-reliance and innovation. Local Sourcing Mandates: Policies encourage local sourcing of wind turbine components, boosting domestic industry. Manufacturing Prowess: India boasts an impressive manufacturing capacity of 18 GW per year for wind turbines. Certified Models: There are 31 certified wind turbine models available, ensuring quality and reliability. Growth Mechanisms: Government incentives include auctions, Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), and various financial schemes. Atmanirbhar Bharat: This initiative promotes self-reliant India in wind technology, from research and development to manufacturing and deployment.

10. Addressing Headwinds: Challenges and Bottlenecks Despite rapid growth, the Indian wind power sector faces several challenges that require strategic interventions to unlock its full potential. Transmission & Grid Delays Significant delays in grid connectivity have led to 17 GW of wind projects losing access in 2025, hindering project commissioning. Land & Environmental Clearances Acquiring land and navigating complex environmental clearance processes remain major hurdles for new projects. Tariff Pressure Wind power projects face tariff pressure, often competing with cheaper solar tariffs, impacting financial viability. Intermittency & Storage Needs The intermittent nature of wind requires advanced energy storage solutions to ensure consistent power supply, adding to project costs.