New Study by LBL shows much higher potential for wind energy in India than previously estimated
A new assessment of wind energy in India by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has found that the potential for on-shore wind energy deployment is far higher than the official estimates. The new research shows that the potential is about 20 times--and, in places, up to 30 times--greater than the current government estimate of 102 gigawatts. This landmark finding may have significant impact on India’s renewable energy strategy as it attempts to cope with a massive and chronic shortage of electricity, especially as wind power is now economically competitive with imported coal and natural gas.
In conducting research for “Reassessing Wind Potential Estimates for India: Economic and Policy Implications,” the Berkeley Lab undertook a systematic assessment of the availability of land using publicly data on topography and land use. Researchers found a significantly higher availability of land that can potentially be used for wind power development than previously estimated, which is the primary reason for the higher potential estimates.
The findings have been discussed informally and formally with several key government agencies in India and have gotten positive responses. “The key agency in charge, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Berkeley Lab to collaborate on several issues related to potential estimates and wind energy integration,” said Jayant Sathaye, who leads the International Energy Studies Group at Berkeley Lab.
The study was funded by the ClimateWorks Foundation through a contract with the Regulatory Assistance Project. Engineers from Itron Inc. and Black and Veatch contributed to the report.