Wind power in India

The wind power project in western India aims to provide electricity for the state of Maharashtra, replacing the use of fossil fuels with renewable energy. Through the effective use of renewable resources, the project can save 59,098 tonnes of CO₂ per year, making a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere and contributing to the global climate change initiative. The project activity generates 29.25 MW of electricity and has the use of the latest, efficient and modern technologies. In addition to saving CO₂ emissions, the project promotes improved air quality and conserves rapidly depleting natural resources such as coal or oil. Furthermore, the economic well-being of the country is promoted by improving infrastructural development in the surrounding rural areas and stabilising India's power grid. On a social level, the region also benefits from the provision of local jobs and the stimulation of further entrepreneurs to invest in renewable energies.

India's renewable energy capacity has increased by 286 per cent in the past 7.5 years to more than 151.4 gigawatts, including hydropower. This corresponds to about 39 percent of the total capacity. Wind capacity accounts for 40.08 GW, which is the third largest share of total installed renewable energy capacity after solar capacity and large hydropower plants. Even though the use of climate-friendly energy sources has increased significantly since 2014, renewable energies are still far from being able to cover the population's needs. Coal-fired power therefore remains an important component of India's energy supply and continues to have a future in India. Currently, 281 coal-fired power plants are still in operation and another 28 are under construction. Nevertheless, the government has plans: by 2030, the projected carbon emissions are to be reduced by one billion tonnes and the goal of net zero CO₂ emissions is to be achieved by 2070.

Wind energy is at the forefront of initiatives to combat global warming over the next three decades. Today, 314,000 wind turbines provide nearly four per cent of the world's electricity, and soon there will be many more. In 2015, a record 63 gigawatts of wind power was installed worldwide. The wind industry is characterised by a variety of turbines, falling costs and increased output. In many locations, wind power is either competitive or cheaper than coal power - with no fuel costs and no pollution. Ongoing cost reductions will soon make wind power the cheapest source of electricity, perhaps within a decade. Onshore wind farms have a small footprint and typically occupy no more than one per cent of the land on which they are located, so grazing, agriculture, recreation or conservation can occur simultaneously with electricity generation. In addition, it takes no more than a year to build a wind farm, so energy is generated quickly and the investment pays off.

The project is located in the districts of Nashik, Sangli and Satara in the state of Maharashtra in western India.