Study to determine India's wind potential

India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has initiated a 'realistic' reassessment of the wind power potential in the country.

The results are expected by the end of next year.

Renewable power potential estimates were last made in the early 80s when it was estimated that the country has a renewable energy potential of about 85 GW from commercially exploitable sources viz. wind - 50 GW at 50 m mast height, small hydro - 15 GW, bio-energy - 20 GW, solar radiation sufficient to generate 50 MW/Sq. Km. using solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy.

Over time, with technological advancements, the estimates for renewable power have been revised.

Initial estimates from the Centre for Wind Energy Technology suggest that wind energy potential at 80 m height with 2% land availability would be over 100 GW while some studies have estimated even higher potential ranges up to 300 GW.