Maharashtra retains No 1 position in wind energy

Maharashtra has retained its numero uno position in the wind energy sector with capacity addition of 573 megawatt (mw) in the financial year 2005-06. Before the financial year, the total installed capacity in the sector was little under 500 mw.

A press release issued by the Indian Wind Energy Association (InWEA) said the financial year 2005-06 has seen hectic activity in the wind energy sector in the country with nearly 43 per cent increase in capacity addition. In India as a whole, 1,702 mw capacity was added in the financial year 2005-06 vis-a-vis 1,111 mw in 2004-05. Currently, the country's total capacity stands at 5,300 mw.

Interestingly, all this capacity addition has been done using home-made equipment and technology.

And with the capacity to manufacture equipment that can generate 2,000 mw of electricity, domestic manufacturers of wind energy machinery stand to make substantial gains in the international market through exports, as well. The global wind energy equipment market is expected to nearly double to $37 billion, from the current $19 billion, by 2010.

The release further said the wind energy sector has so far created 15,000 direct and around 35,000 indirect jobs in India, and is helping the country emerge a major source of carbon credit and foreign exchange in the near future.

The InWEA has recommended to the government that it ensures a shift from the present installation-based approach to a performance-based approach.

The government has also been asked to give tax credit certificates based on annual performance instead of allowing accelerated depreciation to wind energy producers. This is likely to attract foreign direct investment.

The InWEA has also demanded that state governments provide better road connectivity to the wind farm sites, often located in remote areas, and better facilities for evacuation of the electricity from the generation point.