Context: India has substantial wind energy potential, yet a significant portion remains untapped. Recent policies aim to encourage repowering of outdated wind turbines to improve efficiency.

• However, challenges in land availability, infrastructure, and financial incentives persist, hindering the full realisation of the country’s wind energy potential.

Maintenance, Repowering, and Refurbishment of Wind Turbines

• Wind turbines with capacities under 2 MW or more than 15 years old can undergo repowering (full replacement) or refurbishment, which may involve upgrading turbine height, blades, and gearboxes to increase energy output.

• Repowering also extends to individual or groups of wind mills, allowing older units to generate more power efficiently.

• Life extension involves safety upgrades to extend the operational life of existing turbines.

Wind Energy Capacity and Potential in India

• India has substantial wind power potential, estimated at 1,163.86 GW at 150 metres above ground level, as reported by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE).

• India ranks fourth globally in installed wind energy capacity, reflecting its prominence in renewable energy production.

• With turbines typically installed at 120 metres, the country’s potential is currently at 695.51 GW.

• Leading states are Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh contributing significantly to installed capacity.

• However, only about 6.5% of this potential is presently utilized, highlighting the scope for expansion in wind energy usage.

National Policy on Repowering Wind Projects

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) introduced its first policy on wind project repowering in 2016, with an updated “National Repowering & Life Extension Policy” released in 2023 after consultations with stakeholders.

• According to NIWE estimates, turbines under 2 MW capacity offer a repowering potential of approximately 25.4 GW.

• Despite the policy framework, wind energy producers often encounter limitations on the ground, which affect the practical implementation of repowering projects.

Challenges and Constraints in Repowering

• Wind energy sites established in the 1980s have turbines of smaller capacities, under one MW, set up with spacing and infrastructure designed according to older technology.

• New turbines, such as the 2 MW models at 120 metres high that require 3.5 acres of land, or the 2.5 MW models requiring five acres, pose land and spacing challenges.

• Infrastructure updates, like transmission capacity and energy evacuation facilities, have not kept pace with generation capabilities, impeding effective utilisation of wind potential.

• A delayed infrastructure project involving sub-stations at high-potential wind sites, sanctioned years ago, exemplifies these hurdles.

• Dependency on Natural Factors: Energy sources like solar and wind are variable as they rely on natural factors like sunlight, wind and water availability. 

• Limited Wind Resource Areas: India’s wind resource potential is largely concentrated in specific regions, such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

• As the wind energy sector expands, land in these regions is becoming increasingly scarce.

• Wildlife Impact: Wind turbines pose a threat to bird and bat populations, which can collide with the blades.

• High Cost: The cost of turbines, installation, and grid connection can be prohibitive, though costs have been declining in recent years.

• Turbine Lifecycle: Wind turbines typically have a lifespan of around 20-25 years.

• Decommissioning and recycling turbine blades, which are made of composite materials, has become a significant concern due to their difficulty in recycling.

• Offshore wind farms are more difficult and expensive to build than onshore ones due to the need for specialized vessels, equipment, and installation techniques.

• These projects are often located in deep waters, requiring floating turbines, which are still in the experimental stages.

Policy and Financial Viability Concerns

• Policy challenges include the lack of a banking facility for energy generated from repowered turbines, impacting the financial feasibility of repowering projects.

• For wind energy producers, financial incentives and policy support remain critical for the viability of repowering, which could contribute significantly to overall energy output during peak seasons.

Government Initiatives

• National Offshore Wind Energy Policy (2015): This policy was introduced to develop offshore wind energy potential in India, especially along the coastlines of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and other maritime regions.

• National Wind Energy Mission: Focuses on the development and expansion of wind energy in India. The target for wind energy capacity is set at 140 GW by 2030.

• National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy (2018): The main objective of the policy is to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for optimal and efficient utilization of wind and solar resources.

• Wind Resource Assessment: The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), conducts wind resource assessments to identify potential sites for wind energy generation across the country. 

• Wind Farm Development: The program promotes the development of wind power plants by providing financial incentives, including subsidies for setting up wind energy projects in identified areas.

• Wind Energy Auctions (Competitive Bidding): The government conducts competitive auctions where developers submit bids for setting up wind power projects.

• Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO): This requires power distribution companies and large electricity consumers to procure a certain percentage of their power from renewable sources, encouraging the demand for renewable energy.