HYDERABAD: Wind energy sector in India is all set to add over 5,000 MW generation capacity per annum by 2015, a top official of the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association has said. "India has potential of generating about 48,000 mw power through wind energy.

With the availability of new technology through powerful and taller masts, the total potential can be pegged at about 1.2 lakh mw," said D V Giri, Chairman of the IWTMA here. He said the cost of production of a MW power would be Rs 5 to 6.5 crore which is much cheaper than the solar energy. According to the data supplied by the association, the country today has about 11,000 MW of installed wind energy capacity and the utilisation (plant load factor) is between 15 to 20 per cent. The association with 13 wind turbine and related equipment manufacturers has also been lobbying for policy reforms in expanding the wind energy generation.

According to Giri, 1,485 MW capacity was added to the sector in 2008-09, and in 2009-10, it was about 1,576 MW. During the current year, the industry hopes to see an addition of about 2,000-2,200 MW capacity in this year.