Wind Energy Association seeks private participation in power generation

The Indian Wind Energy Association will appeal to the Gujarat government to permit generation and sale of wind power by the private sector.

The association will also request the government to take steps for encouraging wind power generation in the state.

Anil Kane, chairman of the Indian Wind Energy Association, has called for focusing on developing wind energy as it is an ideal alternative to traditional sources of generating power.

Kane was speaking at a seminar on 'Wind energy investment in Gujarat', organised jointly by the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Indian Wind Energy Association on Wednesday.

Kane said, "There is a huge potential for developing wind power in Gujarat. The 1,600-km long coastline of Saurashtra and the Rann of Kutch are ideal for generating energy with wind power."

"Until some years back, Gujarat was the leader in generating wind power, but today it is way behind states like Tamil Nadu. The industries of Tamil Nadu have concentrated on wind energy in the last few years and have greatly benefited from it," Kane said.

Kane said, "Private wind power generation and sale are allowed in some states. It is however, not allowed in Gujarat, which is why the sector has not developed much in the state."

"All over the world, power is mainly generated using traditional energy sources such as water and lignite and nuclear energy to a certain extent. The wind energy sector is growing at 36 per cent annually and there is a huge scope for further development," said Kane.

Kane said, "The highest power consumption in Surat is by powerlooms. When the textile industry is facing several problems due to higher electricity tariff, the industry should take maximum advantage of the wind energy sector as electricity generated using wind mills would be much cheaper than that generated by using traditional energy sources."

"The local industry can also avail the benefit of five per cent interest subsidy on the Technology Upgradation Fund, which is provided by the central government, by setting-up wind mills," said Kane.

Kane, however, said south Gujarat was not an ideal location for wind power generation.

"Wind direction and its speed in the south Gujarat region is not ideal for developing wind power. Daman is probably the only place in the region where wind mills can be set up and power can be generated," said Kane.