Why in the News?

Tamil Nadu, a leader in wind energy with turbines over 30 years old, introduced a new policy for upgrading old windmills in August 2024. However, wind energy producers opposed it, took the issue to the Madras High Court, and obtained a stay.

What is Tamil Nadu’s wind power capacity? 

• Installed Capacity: As of November 2023, Tamil Nadu has an installed wind energy capacity of approximately 10,377.97 MW, making it the second-largest wind energy producer in India after Gujarat. This represents about 23% of India’s total installed wind capacity.
• Age of Turbines: Many turbines in Tamil Nadu are over 30 years old, which raises concerns about efficiency and technological advancements5.
• Potential for Repowering: The state has a repowering potential of over 7,387 MW, which could significantly enhance its energy generation capabilities if older turbines are replaced or refurbished.

What about national wind energy capacity? 

• Total Potential: The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) estimates that India has a wind power potential of 1,163.86 GW at a height of 150 meters, ranking fourth globally for installed capacity.
• Current Utilization: At 120 meters (the standard height for modern turbines), India’s potential is around 695.51 GW, with only about 6.5% currently utilized nationally and nearly 15% in Tamil Nadu.
• Leading States: The states contributing most to India’s wind power include Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh, which collectively account for approximately 93.37% of the country’s installed capacity.

What does the repowering and refurbishing of wind turbines mean?

• Repowering involves replacing old turbines with new ones to enhance efficiency and output. Refurbishing includes upgrading components like gearboxes and blades to improve performance without complete replacement.
• Regulatory Framework: The Tamil Nadu government introduced a new policy aimed at facilitating these processes. However, generators argue that the policy lacks provisions that effectively promote wind energy generation and financial viability.

Why are wind energy generators opposing the new policy of the TN government?

• Concerns from Generators: Wind energy generators have opposed the new “Tamil Nadu Repowering, Refurbishment and Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects – 2024”, claiming it does not adequately support the promotion of wind energy generation. They have approached the Madras High Court and received a stay on the policy implementation.
• Financial Viability Issues: The opposition stems from concerns that repowered turbines will be treated as new installations without banking facilities for generated energy, impacting financial returns on investments.
  • Generators emphasize that without a commercially beneficial framework, investments in repowering will decline.

Way forward: 

• Revise the Policy to Ensure Financial Viability: The Tamil Nadu government should amend the policy to provide incentives like banking facilities for energy generated from repowered turbines, making the projects financially viable for investors.
• Promote Technological Advancements and Infrastructure Upgrades: The policy should focus on facilitating the replacement of old turbines with modern, high-capacity ones and improving wind energy transmission infrastructure to harness the full potential of Tamil Nadu’s wind resources.

Mains PYQ:

Q Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above bjective? Explain. (UPSC IAS/2022)

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