Shri Lalit Bohra extended a warm welcome to the Hon’ble Minister of State for Ministry of Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik; Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Shri Bhupinder S Bhalla; and all esteemed delegates, guests, participants, and industry associations for joining the event on Global Wind Day, 2024. He thanked MNRE, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (Shakti), Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA), Indian Wind Power Association (IWPA), Wind Independent Power Producers Associations (WIPPA), and Solar Power Developers Association (SPDA) for their unwavering support for this event and preceding state-level activities. He highlighted several of India’s achievements in wind energy as follows:
- India ranks fourth globally in wind power capacity, with a total installed capacity of 45.89 GW as of March 2024.
- During the last 10 years, our installed capacity has doubled from 21 GW (2014) to 46+ GW (2024).
- In the last financial year (2023-24), the country observed the addition of 3.2+ GW of wind power capacity.
- This financial year, the wind power capacity addition is expected to exceed 6 GW, with a target of 10 GW onshore wind power tenders annually till 2030.
Towards the end, he emphasised on importance of the Global Wind Day celebration:
- Global Wind Day is celebrated to spread awareness and acknowledge the collective efforts of all stakeholders.
- We are here today to celebrate achievements and deliberate on realising the potential to generate wind energy and use wind power to serve the globe.
Keynote address by Shri Bhupinder S Bhalla, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
Shri Bhupinder S Bhalla, in his keynote address, highlighted the previous year’s achievements and motivated stakeholders to collaborate to realize short-term and long-term goals for the sector. He stressed the need for a combination of solar and wind energy to ensure a more reliable grid and reach the target of 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030 and net zero by 2070. He further added:
- The Indian wind power industry has a 4-decade-long growth story.
- Today, the country stands as the 4th largest market globally, after China, the USA, and Germany.
- The cumulative installed wind power capacity in India by May 2024 is 46.4 GW. The leading states are Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.
- We need to multiply our current capacity at least three times to reach the targets. To achieve an increment of 3 GW to 5 GW, and finally 10-15 GW in a year, we need a paradigm shift.
He also emphasized the aging wind energy infrastructure and the need to repower 25-30-year-old wind power plants:
- A wind repowering policy has already been introduced, and a positive response is yet to be seen in policy enforcement and implementation.
- We need to spread awareness so that the policy reaches the actual target audiences. Repowering offers around 5 GW, indicating a clear and significant opportunity.
On the offshore wind sector, he commented:
- India has studied the potential for offshore wind in two regions: Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Given the country’s vast 7,600 km coastline, additional studies are being conducted in other coastal areas.
- The first offshore wind project in India is optimistically promised to be completed this decade.
- Despite obstacles, India is poised to become a major market for offshore wind, with interest from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and West Asian countries
Inaugural Address by Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State in the Ministry of Power and New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
Hon’ble Minister of State, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik extended warm wishes to the wind fraternity and all stakeholders. In his speech, he stressed the current achievement of 3.2+ GW wind power capacity in FY 2023-24 and mentioned that in FY 2024-25, the wind power capacity addition is expected to exceed 6 GW, with a target of 10 GW onshore wind power tenders annually till 2030. He further added:
- India has pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels.
- The target is to achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources. The aim is to achieve an installed wind power capacity of 100 GW by 2030, contributing substantially to our overall renewable energy target of 500 GW.
- The effort is to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover.
- As per COP28 commitments, we should strive to triple our current wind power installed capacity by 2030.
- With an installed capacity of over 46 GW, India is among the top four global wind power producers.
- We need coordinated efforts from all government agencies, PSUs, and State Nodal Agencies to achieve the goal together.
- The Wind Renewable Purchase Obligation (Wind-RPO) for wind energy is a pivotal aspect of our strategy to meet these NDCs.
- The vast coastline of India presents an incredible opportunity for offshore wind power development. MNRE has already announced a 4 GW capacity tender for Tamil Nadu seabed block leasing. Another 1 GW Viability Gap Funding (VGF) based tender for offshore wind will be announced soon in a few months.
- The first offshore wind project, with a capacity of 500 MW, is set to be developed in the Gulf of Khambhat, marking the beginning of a new chapter in India’s renewable energy story. Bidding for this project site will be out soon.
- NIWE is also conducting studies in Tamil Nadu offshore wind blocks.
- Public-private partnerships will play a crucial role in this endeavour, enabling us to leverage the expertise and resources of various stakeholders.
In his concluding statement, the minister called for collective action to achieve renewable energy targets, making India a leader in wind energy and creating a greener, brighter future for all.
Felicitation of States
The states of Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu were felicitated for achieving the highest wind capacity addition in the country during FY 2023-24.
Vote of Thanks by Shri Sumant Sinha, Chairman and CEO, ReNew Power
Shri Sumant Sinha expressed his gratitude and extended a vote of thanks to all participants, developers, and think tanks for their presence. He emphasized the following points:
- Wind Energy sector in India has to overcome many obstacles, such as land acquisition, erratic wind patterns, and the need for grid infrastructure expansion.
- Success is glorifying, but what we are doing isn’t sufficient; we need to step up to reach the aim.
- Celebrations like Global Wind Day serve as vital reminders of the power of collective action and collaboration. Overcoming the difficulties in the wind energy sector will require the combined efforts of all stakeholders, including government bodies, private sector participants, and research institutions.
- The intent for expansion in the wind energy sector is unequivocal, both from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the state governments. Their commitment to driving growth and innovation in this sector is clear and commendable.
Exhibition Gallery: Minister of State’s Visit and Press Interaction
The Global Wind Day Celebration 2024 featured an exhibition gallery meticulously curated to showcase the remarkable journey and advancements of wind energy in India. Hon’ble Minister of State, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, graced the exhibition gallery with his presence. He carefully examined the various exhibits, which included a detailed and interactive model of offshore wind farm, wind turbine model from Suzlon, and informative panels highlighting key innovations and achievements in the sector.
The exhibition also displayed drawings from a high school kids’ competition held at the state level prior to Wind Energy Day to spread awareness among the masses. These vibrant and imaginative artwork s highlighted the importance of wind energy and reflected the creativity and enthusiasm of the younger generation in supporting renewable energy initiatives.
Following his tour of the exhibition, Shri Naik engaged with the press, addressing their questions and sharing his insights. He expressed his admiration for the progress made in the wind energy sector and emphasized the government’s commitment to furthering this momentum.
