Installed wind power in India seen at 89 GW by 2020 - study

Nov 29, 2012 - India’s installed wind power capacity could reach 89 GW by 2020 and 191 GW by 2030 compared to the current 18 GW, а study by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and other sector organisations shows.

These 89 GW can fetch about USD 16.5 billion (EUR 12.7bn) of wind sector investment each year and help offset 179 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, according to the India Wind Energy Outlook by GWEC, the World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE) and the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA).

In addition, increased wind power generation could help India meet its goal for 15% of electricity production from renewable energy sources by 2020, which depends on national and state governments backing to the sector with the right policies, Steve Sawyer, GWEC's secretary general said.

Another benefit for the country would be the ability to reduce power shortages thanks to the greater wind power capacity. "Power shortages and energy security are both critical issues for India’s rapidly growing economy. Wind is already cost-competitive with heavily subsidized fossil fuel based energy in several Indian states, and its competitive position will only improve over time," Sawyer added.

Last year, India was the third larges wind power market, following China and the USA, and ranked fifth in total installed capacity. If its offshore wind potential is fully used, the country's wind power capacity could hit 400 GW, the study says.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.770)

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