Wind faces the solar heat, no new projects
JAISALMER: Global Wind Day was celebrated on June 15, but it’s hard to escape the headwinds the wind energy sector is facing, thanks to cheaper solar power. In the past two years, except for one or two windmill projects, no new projects have come up.
The state government which earlier banked on the sector has also turned its back on it as it is not economically viable due to cheaper solar power.
Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation (RREC) MD BK Doshi said no windmill units are being installed because solar energy is cheaper compared to wind. He said at present there are 4,356 windmill units that have been set up with 3,464 of them in Jaisalmer, 416 in Jodhpur, and 355 in Chittorgarh.
A senior official of a windmill company said in the past two years the government has not come out with any policy to promote wind energy. In 2015, the government purchased wind power at Rs 4-5 per unit but now the rates have fallen to Rs 2.50 through bidding system.
Meanwhile, north India’s first wind mill project of 2 MW installed at Jaisalmer 19 years ago by RSPCL (Rajasthan State Power Corporation Ltd) has been closed and its machines were auctioned and the land has been returned to the administration.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
