Wind Power News: India
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Maharashtra wind project a threat to ecology: panel
The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) has slammed the Maharashtra government for clearing the Andhra Lake Wind Power Project promoted by Enercon (India) Limited. Situated near the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary here, the 113 MW wind energy project has caused “substantial forest destruction and triggered large scale soil erosion,” according to the panel. “This project should not have been cleared at all without completing the constitution of a Ecologically Sensitive Zone [ESZ] in the region and the implementation of the . . .
Use of gomala land for wind power units opposed
The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and the district unit of the Hasiru Sene have demanded that the State government should withdraw the order sanctioning gomala (cattle grazing) land to private companies for the purpose of setting up wind power stations in Ranebennur and Hirekerur taluks of the district. While on the one hand, the government provides financial help to dairy farmers to buy cows and buffaloes, on the other hand it is snatching away land meant to graze these animals, . . .
Offshore wind energy: Industry sceptical about high costs & cumbersome procedures
CHENNAI/MUMBAI: India has begun work to assess the country’s potential to generate wind energy offshore but the industry is sceptical about the option because of high costs and cumbersome procedures. Wind energy accounts for less than 10% for India’s total power generation, with installed capacity of 16,000 MW. But ambitions for the sector are big, with estimates that the capacity will be doubled within five years. While offshore turbines deliver 50% higher plant load factor (a measure of capacity utilisation) . . .
India to end wind farm tax break next fiscal, official says
India will discontinue a tax break for wind farms starting in April, the beginning of the financial year, potentially stalling growth in a $3 billion market dominated by turbine-supplier Suzlon Energy Ltd. (SUEL) “Accelerated depreciation will go away in April,” Dilip Nigam, director of wind policy at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, said in an interview in Mumbai today. General Electric Co., Siemens AG, and Spain’s Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica SA (GAM) are expanding wind-turbine manufacturing capacity in India . . .
Suzlon to develop 3,000 MW of wind energy in Andra Pradesh
India’s largest wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon Energy will develop 3,000 MW in Andra Pradesh by 2016 with a potential investment of Rs.18,000 crore. The company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government during last week’s Partnership Summit 2012 in Hyderabad. Andra Pradesh is one of the fastest emerging wind energy destinations in the country. As per the MoU, the state government will help Suzlon in obtaining mandatory permissions, registrations, approvals and clearances necessary for developing wind-based energy . . .
Each windmill is a factory: Court
Chennai, Dec. 24: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ruled that each windmill is a factory. What more? To put up a windmill in Tamil Nadu, it is also necessary to obtain the permission of the local panchayat body, the Court held. Manufacturing process In the dispute between Mr S. Muppidathi and several others, including Global Wind Infrastructure and Services Pvt Ltd, the Court held that, “a windmill generates electricity and is therefore, a factory involved in . . .
Telugu Desam blows hot over wind contract
The Telugu Desam has alleged that large-scale irregularities took place while awarding contracts to three firms for generating 800 megawatt Wind Energy projects in Anantapur district, flouting norms. TD general secretary and senior legislator Payyavula Kesav on Sunday alleged that Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, without announcing the wind energy policy of the government and without amending the existing norms, had awarded three companies, Het-ero, Axis and another firm (he did not mentioned the name) for generating 800 MW . . .
Stricter grid laws for renewable energy sector soon: CERC
Ahmedabad, Nov 30 (PTI) The renewable energy (RE) sector will soon be in for stricter grid laws and standards compliance regime, a member of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission said here today. The power sector regulator CERC also expressed concern over the high cost of wind power in the nation and blamed the wind equipment manufacturers for ”exploiting” the market, owing to lack of transparency. “The renewable energy sector must follow the grid laws and standards strictly. The metering at their . . .
The wild cats at Bhadra Tiger Reserve can breathe easy
Wildlife conservationists have won a legal battle in stalling two projects that would have upset the ecologically fragile shola-grassland forests buffering the Bhadra Tiger Reserve in Chikmagalur district. Organisations such as Bhadra Wildlife Conservation Trust, Nature Conservation Guild, WildCAT-C and WildCANE and local wildlife conservation NGOs in Chikmagalur, have been waging a legal battle against a proposed wind farm and a resort-cum-spa in the region. The state government had, on April 17, 2003, leased 305.37acres to Karnataka Renewal Energy Development . . .
Birds concern stall windmills
Concern over adverse impact of windmills on birds has stalled major clean energy projects in India. An environment ministry committee has refused to approve any wind energy projects till impact of these windmills on avifauna and bats is fully examined. A study by wildlife conservation organization ELA Foundation, Pune, has found that windmills restrict the path of birds and has been cause of disappearance of many birds in certain areas. More comprehensive studies in west have indicated that lakhs of . . .
