Q. Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread.

Model Answer: 

India ranks 4th globally in wind power capacity (~44 GW), serving as a crucial pillar for achieving its 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity target by 2030.

Potential of Wind Energy in India

• Vast Onshore Capacity: The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) estimates a massive 1,164 GW potential at a 150-meter hub height.
• Untapped Offshore Viability: An estimated 71 GW of offshore potential exists along India’s 7,600 km coastline (Gulf of Khambhat, Gulf of Mannar).
• Complementary Generation: Strong geographical synergy with solar energy ensures round-the-clock grid stability (National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy 2018).

Reasons for Limited Spatial Spread

Over 95% of India’s wind capacity is concentrated in just seven peninsular and western states.

• Climatological Limits: Viable Wind Power Density (>200 W/m²) is heavily restricted to the western coast and southern peninsula.
• Topographical Constraints: Northern plains lack natural funneling corridors (unlike the Palghat gap aiding Tamil Nadu’s Muppandal wind farm).
• Land Acquisition Hurdles: Onshore installations require vast contiguous land, which is prohibitively expensive in the densely populated Gangetic plains.
• Evacuation Infrastructure: Inadequate transmission grids restrict development in geographically remote, high-potential regions (Ladakh, Lahaul-Spiti).

Expanding the Green Energy Corridor and fast-tracking the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy are vital to decentralize generation, bypass land constraints, and secure India’s clean energy transition.