Question : WIND POWER POTENTIAL

(a) the details of the wind power potential in the country, State-wise;

(b) the installed capacity thereof;

(c) the capacity of power generated from wind turbines; and

(d) the steps proposed to be taken to step up the use of wind power?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE), (SHRI M. KANNAPPAN)

(a): The gross wind power potential in the country has been estimated at about 45,000 MW. The technical potential which can be tapped is, however, about 13,000 MW. A Statement on the gross/technical potential, State-wise, is given in the Annexure.

(b) & (c): A total wind power capacity of 1426 MW has so far been installed in the country. The wind turbines have generated over 8 billion units of electricity.

(d): Under the Wind Resource Assessment Programme, 208 potential sites have been identified in 13 States and UTs. A Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET) has been established in Chennai to provide technical support for wind power development. Fiscal and promotional incentives are also being provided, and soft loans are available for commercial projects from Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA). In order to promote commercial development, the State Governments have been requested to announce conducive policies for grid connection and sale of electricity generated from wind power projects.


ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 729 FOR 22.11.2001 REGARDING WIND POWER POTENTIAL

GROSS & TECHNICAL WIND POWER POTENTIAL

Sl. No.	State	Gross Potential	Technical Potential	(MW)	(MW)
1.	Andhra Pradesh	8275	1550

2.	Gujarat	9675	1750

3.	Karnataka	6620	1025

4.	Kerala	875	605

5.	Madhya Pradesh	5500	1200
6.	Maharashtra	3650	2990

7	Orissa	1700	680

8.	Rajasthan	5400	885

9.	Tamil Nadu	3050	1700
10.	West Bengal	450	450
Total	45195	12835