Wind energy mission addition awaits nod

Under a proposed action plan, the ministry will strengthen grid infrastructure for wind power and identify high wind power potential zones

The government is to introduce a ‘wind energy mission’ in the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPPC). Officials said formal induction awaited consent from the prime minister.

The proposed National Wind Energy Mission, drafted by ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) in April 2014, aims to create a conducive investment environment for investors in the wind energy sector.  It has been waiting for the cabinet’s nod. After being inducted in NAPPC, the mission would be India’s focal point to invite investment from the world over in the sector.

Launched in 2008, NAPPC has eight missions already, including the National Solar Mission, which originally targeted 20,000 Mw by 2022. This has been revised to 100,000 Mw by 2019.

Under the proposed action plan, MNRE would strengthen grid infrastructure for wind power, identify high wind power potential zones, ease land clearances for the projects, regulate wind power rates and incentivise investment in the sector.

In the draft mission document, the government aims to have a generating capacity of 100 Gw of wind power by 2022. The potential is estimated at 300 Gw. India is now the fifth largest wind power producer in the world, with an installed capacity of 22 Gw.

Due to a policy flip-flop, annual capacity addition in the sector fell to a decadal low during 2012-13 and 2014-15. The industry, especially the private sector, has also complained about the lack of proper grid infrastructure for evacuation of the power. Due to this, there have been delays in payments by states to power developers.

MNRE also plans to extend the ‘generation based incentive for project developers for five years. This would amount to a total expenditure of Rs 18,000 crore.

NAPPC currently has eight missions: National Solar Mission, National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, National Water Mission, National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, National Mission for a Green India, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.