Government issues draft rules on onshore wind projects

The new and renewable energy ministry has released draft guidelines on development of onshore wind power projects.

The ministry has sought comments from all stakeholders by May 27 on draft guidelines.

With advancement in wind turbine technology and the rules of CERC (Central Electricity Regulatory Commission), CEA (Central Electricity Authority) and other regulatory bodies, comprehensive guidelines are needed for the development of onshore wind power projects, the ministry said.

The installed wind power generation capacity was around 26.8 gigawatt (Gw) by the end of FY16. India is globally placed at the fourth position in terms of wind power installed capacity.

The government has set a target of reaching 60 Gw of wind power installed capacity in the country by 2022.

To achieve the target, the current rate of deployment of wind power capacity is required to be more than doubled.

Most of the wind power development in India took place over the last 20 years and during this period the wind turbine technology has evolved from low capacity less efficient turbines of 225 kW to high capacity more efficient turbines of 3 MW being manufactured in India.

Wind being intermittent in nature the large scale deployment of wind power has posed challenges on grid integration. The regulatory authorities have tightened regulation for grid integration of wind turbines, the document said.