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India has potential to produce 302 GW wind power energy

Various Indian states have potential to generate as much as 302 GW of wind energy, according to the wind atlas prepared by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE).

The NIWE had launched the Wind Energy Resources Map of India at 100 metres above ground level on the online Geographic Information System platform.

According to this atlas, the highest potential for wind power generation is in the state of Gujarat (84.43 GW) followed by Karnataka (55.86 GW), Maharashtra (45.49 GW), Andhra Pradesh (44.23 GW) and Tamil Nadu 33.80 GW.

Incidentally, to encourage wind power generation in the country, the Indian government provides various fiscal and financial incentives, including accelerated depreciation (AD), concessional custom, excise and special additional duties, 100% foreign direct investment through automatic route etc.

Wind power projects which do not avail the benefits of AD and are not covered under third party sale of the wind power generated, are eligible for generation-based incentives (GBI) at the rate of Rs 0.50 per unit of energy fed into the grid with a cap of Rs 1 crore per MW for a period not less than 4 years and a maximum period of 10 years.

Following table gives state-wise wind energy potential (In MW @ 100 metres):