Date:14/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/14/stories/2008101451842100.htm

Back Chennai to host global meet on wind energy

Looking ahead
A clear policy could bring in investments of over Rs 30,000 cr annually
Facilitate capacity additions of about 5,000 MW a year up to 2012
Current capacity addition stands at aaprox. 1,700-2,000 MW

Our Bureau

Chennai, Oct. 13 A clear policy to support wind energy would facilitate investments of over Rs 30,000 crore a year over the next five years, according to Mr Ramesh Kymal, Managing Director, Vestas Wind Technology India Pvt Ltd.

Addressing a press conference on an international conference on wind energy to be held in Chennai next month, Mr Kymal, who is the Chairman of the organising committee, said that 2007 has seen a spurt in investments in the renewable energy sector as concerns of climate change, controlling carbon emissions and clean technologies came to the fore.

Policy issues

The conference itself would address the policy issues needed to better exploit the potential in wind energy.

Mr G.M. Pillai, Founder Director-General, World Institute of Sustainable Energy, Pune, which is organising the conference, said that over the next year and half leading at least 10 wind energy equipment manufacturers were looking at setting up manufacturing facilities in the country.

Industry estimates target that investments in wind energy generation would go to add about 5,000 MW a year up to 2012 representing investments of over Rs 30,000 crore a year.

Now the capacity addition is about 1,700-2,000 MW a year.

Initiatives

The policy initiatives that are needed include generation-based incentives, enactment of a renewable energy law, fiscal concessions like reduction in duties and push for indigenisation, he said.

2-day exhibition

The two-day conference and exhibition, Wind India 2008, to be held in Chennai on November 25 and 26 will see over 500 delegates discussing issues to frame a road map for the development of a policy and inputs to the renewable energy law, Mr Kymal said.

Leading global wind power industry representatives including 15 Danish and European companies and consultants, 60 exhibition stalls spread over 2,250 sq. m, product launches and presentations by 40 experts are among the features of Wind India.