CHENNAI:: Wind Power capacity addition was the highest ever in 2015-16, with the industry adding 3,472.15 mega watt (MW), beating the previous record high of 3,196.66 MW installed in 2011-12.
According to the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers’ Association, the capacity addition was fuelled by wind-friendly policies in Madhya Pradesh, which alone added a whopping 1,291.90 MW or 37% of the year’s added capacity.
The main factors driving the record capacity addition in the state was the push in government policies toward more favourable tariffs rates and investor friendly policies, said D V Giri, Secretary General, IWTMA. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Renewable energy target for 2022 envisions 60 giga watt (GW) from wind power. The current installed capacity for wind is 26,915 MW across India.
“This is similar to what happened in 2011-12, the previous highest capacity added. Tamil Nadu drove the figures then through the same mix of policy pushes and favourable tariff rates,” he said.
Other states that have done well, include Rajasthan at 687.90 MW and Gujarat at 385.65. In terms of manufacturers, the highest numbers came from Gamesa (1003.70 MW), Suzlon (900.10 MW), Inox (790 MW) and ReGen (313.50 MW).
The industry is also highly confident of continuing growth in capacity addition for the next few years. According to Giri, IWTMA expects numbers to cross 4,000 MW in the next period (2016-17). “If we are given favourable policy impetus like last year, there’s no reason why this number cannot be achieved,” he said.
States like Andhra Pradesh and Telengana, which are already pushing for capacity additions and opening up the environment for investors, are likely to be the major drivers of this growth. Apart from some wind states which are expected to do well, the reduction in Accelerated Depreciation (AD) and possible sunset clause on Generation Based Incentive (GBI) are expected to contribute to the higher numbers next year.
The year 2014-15 witnessed a slight increase in wind energy capacity installation, 2,297 MW, compared to 2,146 MW in 2013-14.