Kerala's wind energy potential is underestimated, according to experts in the renewable energy sector. While the State's nodal agency for development of wind energy, Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT), had estimated the wind potential at 600 MW, as per studies conducted by it a few years ago, new studies conducted by private agencies have indicated a higher potential.
Ramakkalmedu in Idukki district with an estimated potential of about 80 MW was identified as the most potential site in the State for developing wind power, according to the Anert study. The survey had zeroed in on 16 potential sites for exploitation of wind energy. These included 10 locations in Idukki district, five in Palakkad district and one in Thiruvananthapuram. The sites in Idukki are Ramakkalmedu, Kailasamedu, Kulathummedu, Parampukettimedu, Senapathi and Sakkulathumedu in Udumbanchola taluk, Kuttikkanam, Kolahalamedu, Panchalimedu and Pullikkanam in Peermade taluk. In Palakkad, the potential sites are Kanjikkode, Kotamala, Kottathara, Nallasingam and Tolanur while the site in Thiruvananthapuram is Ponmudi.
Kerala has an unused potential of at least 2,000 MW wind energy, according to Ramesh Kymal, Managing Director of Gamesa Wind Turbines Private Limited, Chennai, the Indian wing of a Spanish company. Mr. Kymal, who had been involved in the setting up of wind turbines at Ramakkalmedu a few years ago, is convinced that additional capacity generation is possible at the very site as well as other locations in Kerala.
The Ramakkalmedu wind project was meant for producing 25 MW power, but at least 10 times the capacity remains unutilised at the location, Mr.Kymal told . He estimates that 1,500 MW wind power can be generated at Walayar and nearby areas.
His finding is in tandem with a national study done by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, a global enterprise based in the U.S.A, in association with Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, on the wind energy potential in the country. A report published recently by the organisation said the potential for on-shore wind energy deployment in India is 20 to 30 times greater than the current government estimate of 102 gigawatts.
However, the assumption is not based on any assessment of land availability. The Berkeley Lab study undertook the assessment of the availability of land using geographic information system (GIS) data on topography and land use and found a significantly higher availability of land, which accounts for the higher estimates.
Meanwhile, Anert is in the process of updating the data on wind energy potential by using modern equipments positioned at a higher altitude. The study is being conducted at eight locations, a top official of Anert told The Hindu .
Data on wind speeds at 80 metre and above are sought to be utilised for modern wind mills.
Earlier, the data on wind speeds at 20 metres were being based for projecting the wind energy potential, as per a study conducted in association with the Chennai-based government body, Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET).
Two high masts capable of collecting wind speed data at 80 metre have already been installed and the information received from them are being analysed. Six more are to be installed at different locations.
Installation of high masts which require staywires to keep them in position, has been posing problems. While the masts could be raised at revenue land, private land-owners have been reluctant to lease out the land for the purpose, the official said.
In fact, the State had been facing the problem of land availability for locating the huge structures of wind turbines.
The wind turbines are set up on huge vertical structures and they need to be transported to the locations, which require good roads. Anert, which had signed a memorandum of understanding with NTPC for generating wind power at Ramakkalmedu, is also finding it difficult to establish additional windmills at new locations there as the terrain requires improved approach road to transport the turbines.
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