Wind turbine makers seek govt support to boost output

With conventional sources of energy fast drying up, the renewable energy guidelines need to be put together and made into a proper legislation if the country is to see a surge in the generation of wind power, according to the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturer’s Association (IWTMA).

“The current state of affairs is that there are only guidelines with regard to wind energy. The authorities need to bring them together and enact a law in this regard so that the huge potential doesn't go untapped,” DV Giri, chairman, IWTMA, said. India currently is in the fourth position among wind energy producers.

Pointing out that there is a potential to produce 45,000 Mw through wind energy, he said the current production stands at only 9,000 Mw.

“Tamil Nadu has been seeing a surge in wind energy output of late with the state having embarked on a more considerate approach toward the potential of wind energy. Tamil Nadu, which has a potential of producing around 7,000 Mw of wind power, has till now produced 4000 Mw,” Giri added.

“We look forward to the government removing the current cap of 49 per cent on generation-based incentives so that more players, even those from overseas, benefit. A long-term bankable policy that would permit a 10-year policy validation period would prove good to the industry as the players would be able to reap returns only after a five year period,” he said.

On the Kerala front, Giri said the government policies towards wind energy production had been very proactive. However, there had been hassles on the implementation front.

A two-day Wind India summit is being organised by the World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE) in Chennai from tomorrow (November 25).