Suzlon’s Girish Tanti says wind energy sector can meet 100 GW target by 2030

India's wind energy industry has visibility of around 85 GW capacity that could be commissioned before 2030, putting the sector broadly on track to achieve the government's 100 GW wind power target, Suzlon Energy co-founder Girish Tanti told ET.

"If you add up the bids which have been announced, the projects under development and the projects under construction, already today as an industry, we have visibility about 85 GW before 2030 to be commissioned," Tanti said.

With another five years remaining until 2030 and additional bids expected, the industry is largely on track to meet the 100 GW target, he said.


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He, however, pointed out grid readiness and continuity in the bidding process as two key challenges that could slow the expansion of wind power in India.

The power grid has historically been designed around conventional power projects, whose development typically takes four to six years. The faster build-out of renewable energy has created a mismatch between generation capacity and transmission infrastructure, he said.

"There is a catch-up cycle in grid," Tanti said, adding that he expects the gap to be addressed over the next three years. Grid planning will also have to account for higher renewable penetration and the variable nature of renewable generation.

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Currently renewable power is being generated but subsequently curtailed due to grid constraints. India is now recalibrating its grid design and planning approach, said Tanti, with the expectation that more intelligent grid systems will be developed over the next five to 10 years to accommodate higher renewable energy penetration.

The second issue is the continuity of the wind bidding pipeline. Tanti said several projects have been bid out but power purchase agreements have yet to be signed, creating uncertainty for developers.

Tanti said the industry is prepared for a significant expansion of wind power and expects the sector's long-term requirement to grow as the value of wind in the electricity system becomes clearer.

He said the next phase of India's renewables planning should target 400 GW of wind capacity by 2047. "As an industry we are ready," Tanti said, adding that the wind target could increase further as confidence in the technology grows.

(The reporter was in Hamburg on an invitation from Suzlon Energy)