Wind energy in Rajasthan :

Wind energy is generated by harnessing the kinetic energy of atmospheric air to be used in a variety of ways such as, wind turbines that can generate electricity, windmills for generating mechanical power and wind pumps for pumping water or for drainage. Wind turbines work by transforming the wind energy into mechanical power that can be used for conversion to electricity or for other mechanical purposes. Wind turbines are used either as stand-alone units or in groups known as wind farms. Small-sized wind turbines, known as aero generators are used for charging large-sized batteries.

Institutional Infrastructure  :

 The Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL) created in August 2002 is a merger of the erstwhile Rajasthan Energy Development Agency and the Rajasthan State Power Corporation Limited. It is working in the capacity of a State Nodal Agency for the promotion and development of renewable energy sources in Rajasthan. The RRECL is also a State designated agency of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, Government of India, and is responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 in the State.

The RRECL has been successfully implementing the schemes of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and is playing a stellar role in this regard. Various initiatives have been enunciated as follows:

Wind Power Resource Assessment Programme :

The programme took off in the year 1988 and is still continuing. At the outset wind masts of heights ranging from 20 – 25 m were generally used for the measurement of wind power density, a measure that helps in identifying the wind potential of an area. Around 35 studies were conducted in consultation with IITM Bangalore. Research studies by private investors are still continuing at an average height of 100 m and more than 100 studies have been conducted so far. As per such assessments, Rajasthan comes under low to moderate wind regime from the wind power generation view point. A total of 6 potential sites were finalised for the setting up of wind farms.

The Wind Energy Development Programme in Rajasthan :

The programme began in 1999 when the then Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources now known as MNRE launched a scheme of demonstration projects of 2 MW capacity wind farms. A total of three demonstration projects were sanctioned by the MNRE for Rajasthan. With the successful establishment of the first 2 MW demonstration project at Amarsagar, Jaisalmer district where 8 wind machines of Nordex (BHEL) at a 40 metre hub height were installed (each of 250 kW capacity), the dream of generating electricity through wind power came true. The second demonstration project with a total capacity of 2.25 MW was established in the year 2000 at Devgarh district in Chittorgarh (now in district Pratapgarh) with 3 NEG Micon wind machines of each of 750 kW. The hub height at this wind farm was 55 metres. The third demo project was set up at Phalodi district in Jodhpur with a total capacity 2.10 MW with 6 Suzlon machines each of 350 kW capacity.

Wind Power sites in Rajsthan :

1. Devgarh  distt. Pratapgarh

2.  Harshnath distt. Sikar

3. Jaisalmer distt. Jaisalmer

4. Khodal  distt.  Barmer

5. Mohangarh  distt. Jaisalmer

6. Phalodi  distt.  Jodhpur

Regulatory Provisions by the State : The Rajasthan government has always given priority to generation of electricity from non conventional energy sources. Various policies have been released from time to time, to ensure that enough encouragement is given to the utilisation of renewable sources of energy. Some of these policies include:

¦ Policy for promotion of electricity generation through non conventional energy sources, March 1999.

¦ The Wind Energy Policy, February 2000 that replaced the policy of March 1999.

¦ Wind Energy Policy, 2003.

¦ Policy for promotion of electricity generation from non conventional energy sources, October 2004.

¦ Policy for promoting generation of electricity from Biomass, 2010.

 ¦ Rajasthan Solar Energy Policy, 2011.

¦ Policy for promoting generation of electricity from wind, July 2012.

¦ Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) of wind power for the year 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 as 4.5 per cent, 5.10 per cent and 5.70 per cent, respectively.

Jaisalmer Wind Park :

The Jaisalmer Wind Park is India's 2nd largest operational onshore wind farm. This project located in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. The project, developed by Suzlon Energy, was initiated in August 2001 and comprises Suzlon’s entire wind portfolio – ranging from the earliest 350 kW model to the latest S9X – 2.1 MW serie. Its installed capacity is 1,064 MW, which makes it one of world's largest operational onshore wind farms.

At the end of FY12, its combined installed capacity was 1064 MW on 1 April 2012. This achievement makes the wind park the 2nd largest of its kind in India, and one of the largest wind farms in the world

So far, up to June 2012, the total installed capacity of wind power plants in Rajasthan is 2075 MW with a total private investment of Rs. 10375.22 crores. With wind power contributing approximately 415 MW power, in the coming three years the RRECL is expecting a further capacity addition of 1000 MW of wind power installations and efforts are underway for the augmentation of a transmission system for more effective power evacuation. Indeed wind power has proven to be a key resource of energy generation for the State.