Answer:

Introduction    

Harnessing wind energy could be catalysed via favorable sites like the tops of smooth, rounded hills; open plains and water; and mountain gaps that funnel and intensify wind. India’s total installed wind power capacity as of August, 2023 was 44.089 gigawatts (GW), making it the fourth largest installed wind power capacity globally after China, the United States and Germany in terms of installed wind energy.

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Challenges of harnessing wind energy

• Environmental Impact: Though cleaner than fossil fuels, wind farms can still have an impact on wildlife and local ecosystems. For example, the Jaisalmer Wind Park in Rajasthan has faced scrutiny over potential impacts on desert wildlife, especially Great Indian Bustard.
• Land Use Conflicts: Finding suitable land that does not conflict with agriculture or habitation is difficult. The large Suzlon wind farm in Tamil Nadu had to navigate complex land acquisition processes. 
• Market and Financial Risks: Fluctuations in market demand and changes in government policies, like those seen with the withdrawal of Accelerated Depreciation benefits in India, affect the financial viability of wind projects. 
• Supply Chain Constraints: Disruptions, like those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, hit the wind sector hard, causing delays in projects such as those undertaken by Suzlon Energy, one of India’s largest wind turbine suppliers.
• Technological Evolution: Constant innovation is necessary to stay competitive. The transition from fixed-speed to variable-speed turbines in wind farms like those in the Kutch district represents this need but also imposes financial burdens on developers. 
• Intermittency and Reliability: The erratic nature of wind impacts projects like the Jaisalmer Wind Park in Rajasthan, where output fluctuates with wind availability, affecting grid reliability.
• Geographic Concentration: Projects are concentrated in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu due to their high wind potential, causing grid congestion. The Muppandal wind farm in Tamil Nadu, one of the largest in Asia, exemplifies this trend, with the region facing challenges in transmitting generated power to other parts of the country.

Opportunities of harnessing wind energy

• Untapped Potential: National Institute of Wind Energy estimates indicate a massive potential of up to 1,164 GW at 150 metres height, which is yet to be fully explored, offering immense scope for growth, particularly in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• Technological Upgradation: Replacing older turbines with newer, more efficient ones could substantially increase India’s wind power output to potential 60 GW, as technological advances make harnessing wind energy more feasible and productive.
• Offshore Wind Energy: Exploring offshore wind energy potential, especially along the western coast opens up a new frontier significantly increasing India’s energy capacity. Eg: The Union Government has released an auction plan to bid on 37 GW equivalent of offshore wind energy projects over the next eight years, until 2029–2030.
• Geographical Advantage: India’s long coastline of 7,516.6 km provides a strategic advantage for the development of onshore and offshore wind energy projects, with the western coast identified as having stable and strong wind currents.
• State-wise Potential: Diverse states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh have been identified with high wind power potential, presenting opportunities for regional development and energy security. 
• Policy Support: With governmental support through policy initiatives like the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, 2018 and National offshore wind energy policy, 2015 there is a framework in place that can be further strengthened to accelerate wind energy deployment.

Policy reforms which are required to make wind energy a significant part of India’s energy mix

• Enhance Research and Innovation through Schemes: Utilising schemes like the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) for supporting research in advanced wind turbine technologies can lead to more efficient energy production.
• Strengthen Grid Infrastructure: Upgrading the grid to manage the variability and intermittency of wind power is crucial. Investments in smart grid technologies and energy storage solutions will help in integrating more wind energy into the system.
• Streamlined Regulatory Processes: Simplifying the process for wind energy project approvals and land acquisitions can accelerate deployment. A more coordinated approach between central and state governments to minimise bureaucratic hurdles is needed. 
• Policy Framework for Offshore Wind: Drafting policies and schemes specifically for offshore wind development, including the exploration of models like the FOWIND (Facilitating Offshore Wind in India) project, can exploit India’s offshore potential.
• Financial Instruments and Schemes: Leveraging schemes like the IREDA (Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency) financing and introducing wind energy-focused funds can provide the capital needed for wind projects.
• Feed-in Tariffs and Auction Systems: Establishing a balanced mechanism between feed-in tariffs for smaller projects and competitive bidding for larger projects can provide stability and encourage participation from a diverse range of investors.
• Policy Support for Repowering: Creating a framework for repowering old wind farms with new technologies can maximise the output from existing wind sites, which are often located in high-wind-potential areas.
• Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing: Implementing community benefit schemes similar to the CSR provisions in the Companies Act, where developers can work with local communities for infrastructure development, can enhance support for wind projects. 

Conclusion 

India’s wind energy sector has vast potential and with concerted policy reforms, supportive schemes, and strategic investments, it is poised to become a cornerstone of the nation’s energy portfolio, driving sustainable growth and contributing to a greener future.

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