Wind power potential in AP assessed at 88,000 MW

The wind power potential in Andhra Pradesh is assessed to be at least 88,000 Mw from wastelands. Furthermore, there is a potential of around 12,000 Mw if 5 per cent of the state’s agricultural lands suitable for wind power were used.

According to a study by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), wind power is cost-effective as compared with other sources of generation. The main challenge for large-scale wind power addition is managing its variability and unpredictability.

The state will have to develop fast ramping sources of generation such as hydro, pumped hydro, open cycle gas turbines, which could be used to manage the variability, the study stated.

Similarly, Karnataka has an estimated potential of 50,000 Mw from wastelands for a turbine height of 80 metres and an additional 20,000 Mw if 5 per cent of the agricultural lands suitable for wind power were used.

CSTEP recently released a report ‘Wind Power in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh: Potential Assessment, Costs and Grid Implications’ during a workshop on Roadmap for Accelerated Wind Power Development in India.

The major finding of the report is that the potential available in Karnataka and AP for wind power at higher heights is not a constraint for large-scale generation. The modern wind turbines installable at heights up to 100 metres can efficiently extract higher potential available in comparison to earlier models, which were built at less than 50 metres height.

Speaking on the occasion, S V Ranganath, chief secretary, Karnataka, stated that current allocations for wind power projects were not adequate given the high potential available to be tapped in Karnataka.

He stressed the importance of considering storage mechanisms such as pumped hydro storage to manage the unpredictability of generating large-scale power from wind resource.

“The implications of the results are significant for setting national level targets, at a time when the Planning Commission has indicated interest in setting up a National Wind Mission in the 12th Plan,” said Alok Srivastava, joint secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

The study undertook a geographical information system (GIS)-based assessment of the availability of wind resource, land, and transmission networks for rapid wind power development.