IWTMA seeks flexible policies for renewable energy
Flexible and progressive norms for installations of wind turbines and generation-based incentives without any cap will attract foreign direct investment and increase the number of independent producers of power from renewable sources which is becoming obligatory to face the challenges of climate change and its adverse consequences, says the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA). “With an installed capacity of 8748 mw, India is the fourth largest producer of electricity from wind. Global wind turbine manufacturers have set up production bases in the country and world class wind turbines are manufactured here both for domestic use and exports. Still the country lacks consistant policies and supportive framework for the wind turbine industry, wind power generation and consumption,” association chairman D V Giri said. He said that there was no national level law for the renewable energy sector, including wind, no guidelines for determination of tariff for wind power as in the case of thermal and hydro and there was no mandatory stipulation by the state commissions, except in Maharashtra, for the purchase or consumption of renewable energy. There was also no accounting of renewable energy in the transmission and distribution system planning, he added. He further said, for the orderly development of power generation from wind, deemed necessary to face the challenges of climate change and its aftermath, there should be a definite policy, certainty about tariff and also operatinal certainty with wheeling and banking facilities. States must have guidelines on renewable purchase obligation (RPO) or renewable purchase specifications (RPS) and the state-run utilities should provide transmission and distribution support, he said.
